Overview:

Tuesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

A Reflection for Tuesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

After Jesus had spoken,
a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home.
He entered and reclined at table to eat. (Lk 11:37)

Find today’s readings here.

Today’s readings are a humility check for me. Especially the Gospel. 

I am familiar with the relationship dynamics between Jesus and the Pharisees. The exchange in today’s Gospel from Luke is recognizable in both its message and delivery: The Pharisee is shocked at the ease with which Jesus disregards prescribed rules about washing before meals, and in response, Jesus tells the man to look inward, to prioritize cleanliness of soul. 

Another point to Jesus. 

But there is an aspect of this story that I was initially quick to brush over. Jesus gives the Pharisee a lesson, yes, but he does so while he is dining at the man’s house. 

The Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner after hearing him speak. And Jesus accepted the offer! He shows up and reclines at the man’s table. 

I spend a lot of time thinking about how Jesus breaks bread with those disregarded and rejected by society. It demonstrates an attitude of generosity, mercy and understanding that I am incredibly moved by, and one I try to emulate in my own life. I have patience and compassion for those considered outcasts and those on the margins of society. I am always trying very hard to love them. 

What I have less patience for is the people who judge those people. Particularly those inside the church who do so. I myself am willing to break bread with the person who knows they’re a sinner like all the rest of us. But the judgmental Catholic? Perhaps less so. Not because I think I’m better than them, but because I feel like they feel like they’re better than me and all the rest of us.

It would be really nice if the Gospel story ended with the Pharisee hearing the words Jesus spoke and taking them to heart. But whether or not that is the case here, the story reminds me that, despite his criticism, Jesus wants the man’s conversion of heart to be the conclusion of this story. 

He is criticizing the behavior of the Pharisees. He is speaking the truth in a way that startles them and wounds their pride. But still he does not refuse a seat at their table when offered one. 

That is a lesson I could stand to learn. The goal is communion with everyone. Understanding can only be found when conversation is had. Nobody is too low to sit with. And nobody is too high, either. If it is true for Jesus, it must also be true for me.

Brigid McCabe is America’s assistant editor for digital strategy. She was previously a 2025-2026 O’Hare Fellow.