In last Sunday’s Gospel Jesus took advantage of a dinner invitation and sharing a table with a leading Pharisee to teach some controversial teaching on humility. In a culture regulated by the social concepts of honour and shame, people strove to achieve honour and avoid shame. Who you ate with, where you placed yourself at table, how you ate, all had important social significance. That meant that at a meal one would attempt to get a seat closest to the host, that would be the most honourable place to be. The worst thing that could happen would be that you would have to give up your seat to another person of more “importance” than you and take a lesser place. Jesus watched people scramble for higher seats but encouraged them to do just the opposite, to take the lowest place. This would make no sense to people. However if the host recognized the worth of the person, he was sure to receive rightful honour. Indeed, little did people know how God deals with people and rewards them for their humility.

Jesus during his life on earth was an example of humility. For Jesus, and for us who follow him, the feast mentioned here is, first of all, an image of the banquet in which all the elect of God are invited to take part, in eternal happiness. But, secondly, it is a lesson concerning the attitude that we Christians must have as we live our lives in the world around us. This attitude must be one of humility and of renouncement of honors. The Bible teaches us that if we are too proud and think too highly of ourselves, we are headed for a fall. On the other hand, if we are humble and realise that it is through God's strength that we are able to do great things, we will be given a place of honour in the kingdom of God.

We hope that all dads, uncles and grandfathers had a special day on Sunday. A big thank you to the parents who helped organise, wrap and sell at the Father’s Day stall, and helped out with the Father’s day breakfast, your time is very much appreciated.

During music lessons, students have been busy preparing for a “musical” night to be held on the night of Thursday 24^thOctober. Students will have a dress rehearsal during the day and then the performance will be held from 6:00pm that night. Accompanying the newsletter is a list of costumes for each grade for the night. Mr. Lindsay has kept the costumes as simple as possible and will supplement where needed. If you have any questions regarding the costumes, or have difficulties in obtaining the requirements, please contact Mr. Lindsay.