Lk 14:1, 7-11
Place of honor: The parable functions as a warning to those who are self-seeking and presumptuous. Because the Pharisees consider themselves righteous (that is, behaving as God wills), they presume that the places of honor at table are reserved for them. According to Jesus, this is not how God acts. In the kingdom of God (wedding banquet), God invites whom God wills to the places of honor. No one can assume that he or she has earned a place of honor at the table.
The self-seeking and presumptuous individual will discover that someone more distinguished may have been invited. After being requested by the host to relinquish the seat, such a presumptuous person would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. The way a person demonstrates God’s will and an inner harmony between outward expression and inner attitude is by taking the lowest place. In God’s kingdom all the usual social presumptions and rules concerning table etiquette are reversed. If a person wants to be served first, he or she must take the last place. This reversal theme was already presented earlier in Luke’s Gospel. Mary declared, “He [God] has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly” (1:52). Humility means knowing that all people are equally lowly and that God will exalt them.