Every culture has its customs and etiquette surrounding formal meals and communal celebration, what is or isn't acceptable as good "table manners". The setting for today's gospel reading is a meal that Jesus was attending. Once again we notice how attentive He was to His environment, and how well He observed how people were behaving on that occasion. Noticing how they tended to presume on their own importance by selecting places close to the host (don't we all, at some point, tend to do that kind of thing?), Jesus told one of His famous little stories. He was concerned with more than just a lesson in table-manners. More also than what may sound like some face-saving practical advice on avoiding embarrassment and ensuring public recognition.

There is a good and healthy kind of pride and self-esteem. But we're also prone to the destructive self-centred kind which seeks or imagines ourselves to be 'better than' or 'above' others. So much of our modern world, like its economy, is based on competition, getting ahead, greed, keeping up with others who seem more successful etc. We're influenced by these 'values' around us.

Prestige and the praise of others, having a high place at a wedding banquet are not what make for real human greatness. Rather, it's God's grace and favour humbly received by people who recognize that all true greatness is God's gift.