Commentary on the Gospel of Today

Blessed Guerric of Igny (c.1080-1157), Cistercian abbot

Jesus at table with the Pharisees

The world's eternal and invisible Creator, preparing to save humankind, which for long ages had been hindered by its subjection to the heavy law of death, deigned «in these last days» (Heb 1,2) to become man... that in his mercy he might redeem those who in justice he condemned. And so as to show the depth of his love for us, he not only became a man but a poor and humble man so that, by drawing near to us in his poverty, he might make us sharers in his riches (2Cor 8,9). So poor did he become for our sake that he had nowhere to lay his head: «Foxes have dens and the birds of the air have their nest, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head» (Mt 8,20).This is the reason why he agreed to go and dine wherever he was invited, not out of an excessive enjoyment in eating but so that he could teach the way of salvation and stimulate faith.

There he would fill the guests with light by his miracles and the servants, who were kept busy inside and were not free to go with him, would hear the words of salvation. Indeed, he despised no one and none were considered unworthy of his love because «he has mercy on all; he hates nothing of what he has made and takes care of them all» (Wsd 11,24).So that he might carry out this work of salvation the Lord entered the house of an eminent Pharisee on the sabbath. The scribes and Pharisees watched him with the intention of calling him to account, so that if he were to cure the man with dropsy they could accuse him of breaking the Law and, if he did not, they could accuse him of blasphemy or inability... By the pure light of his word of truth they were to see the darkness of their deceit vanish away.