22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 2025

Have you ever been to a wedding reception and wondered, “Where am I supposed to sit?” Maybe you found a spot near the head table, only to realize later that it was reserved for family. And then comes that awkward moment—someone taps you on the shoulder and says, “Sorry, these seats are taken.” You have to get up, gather your things, and shuffle off to a less important table. It’s embarrassing. We all know that feeling of wanting to belong, of wanting a good place at the table. Jesus notices the same thing in today’s Gospel. People were jockeying for the best seats at the banquet. So He tells a story: “Don’t put yourself in the place of honor. Choose the lowest place. Then the host may come and say, ‘My friend, move up higher.’ ” That sounds like simple dinner etiquette, but Jesus is pointing to something much deeper. He’s teaching us about humility and about the Kingdom of God. The world tells us: grab the best seat, fight for recognition, look important. ...