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Today's Gospel + short theological explanation

Tuesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
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Gospel text (Lk 14:15-24): One of those at table with Jesus said to him, "Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God." He replied to him, "A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, 'Come, everything is now ready.' But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves...."

The “principle of participation” in the Social Doctrine of the Church

Fr. Antoni CAROL i Hostench (Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain)

Today, the parable presents an overview of inhibition and excuses for the invitation to the “dinner”. This leads towards the “principle of participation” that defends the social Doctrine of the Church. God has left man in the hands of men and this implies, socially, that people have the right and duty to assume responsibilities in their community and take an active part in the social life decisions.

This requirement is based on moral freedom and human dignity. The free and responsible participation in society is a necessity for human development. Hence, the demand that anyone, whether a person, a family or a village and country, be relegated to its active role in coexistence and configuration of socio-political environment.

-The Church does not specify the manner and extent of such participation, but states that everyone should take part in promoting the common good as a responsible person and not just as a passive collaborator.