Today, did you notice the beginning of this Gospel? They—the Pharisees—were observing Him. And Jesus was observing too: "noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table" (Lk 14:7). What a different way of observing!

Observation, like all internal and external actions, varies greatly depending on the motivation behind it, on internal motives, and on what is in the observer’s heart. The Pharisees—as the Gospel tells us in various passages—observe Jesus to accuse Him. And Jesus observes to help, to serve, and to do good. And, like a caring mother, He offers counsel: "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor" (Lk 14:8).

Jesus expresses in words who He is and what He holds in His heart: He does not seek to be honored, but to honor; He does not think of His own honor, but of the Father's. He thinks not of Himself, but of others. Jesus’ entire life is a revelation of who God is: "God is love."

That is why His teaching is realized in Jesus—more than in anyone else: "He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, and became like men... God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name" (Phil 2:7, 9).

Jesus is the Master in both deeds and words. We Christians want to be His disciples. We can only behave like the Master if we possess within our hearts what He held—if we possess His Spirit, the Spirit of love. Let us strive to open ourselves fully to His Spirit and to allow ourselves to be taken and possessed entirely by Him.

And let us do so without thinking of being "exalted," without thinking of ourselves, but only of Him. "Even if there were no heaven, I would love you, and, even if there were no hell, I would fear you; In the same way I love you, I would love you still." (Anonymous author). Driven solely by love.