Watch Not

Today’s Gospel Text:  One Sabbath when he went to dine at the house of a ruler who belonged to the Pharisees, they were watching him.

7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he marked how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 "When you are invited by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest a more eminent man than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:1, 7-11

Reflection: Why would one watch and more so watch over Jesus?

It could be either to imitate him or to see what faults they could find in order to condemn him.

As for us the safest thing to do before watching over someone or sending people as spies to watch over others is to watch over our hearts and mind first and see if we are right with God.

This also applies to those in authority and those who want to exercise authority over people by watching over them in order to discern their ways or simply spy on them.

By deliberately seeking to watch over people whom we may want to target, we are bound to fail, especially if it involves the work of God.  

    

"For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" 1 Cor 2:16

Ideally, if one wants to discern the authenticity of a person so as to discern whether they are God’s servant then the best thing to do is not to watch over that person but to watch in prayer for God’s insight about the person.

The human mind is limited and even petty in the light of the large heartedness of God and bound to make mistakes when it comes to judging a spiritual man.  He cannot be judged by anyone. (cfr. I Cor. 2:15)

On the other hand we could watch over a person in order to imitate him, yet it is never safe to do so without seeking the wisdom of God.  There are many who have been deceived by men in assumed humility but inside have been ravenous wolves. (cfr. Mt. 7:15)

These categories are not always found outside the church or among the laity but could be among the hierarchy too.  Hence the great need to trust in God, which is never an option, and carry on with life.

Prayer:  Lord, deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men. Ps 59:2

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