Choose the Lowest Seat

by © LPi Fr. John Muir  |  08/31/2025  |  Weekly Reflection

Once I was invited to a group meeting with Pope Francis. Entering the room, I paused, eyeing the seats next to the Pope’s fancy chair. Someone saw my paralysis and invited me to sit in the seat farthest from what I wanted. Hiding my disappointment, I sat. We waited. To our surprise, an aid pointed out that those seats were still empty and invited me and another to have them. We calmly but gleefully strode across the room and sat. Pope Francis entered, and we enjoyed two hours of amazingly uplifting conversation.

Jesus says this week to us: “When you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table” (Luke 14:10). This is not about how to score free seat upgrades. Rather, it is a wise pattern for the whole of life. It is how to live free from the anxiety of constantly grasping for status and recognition.

Jesus perfectly embodies his seat-taking advice. He eschews his glorious throne for the lowest: death on a cross, that lonely chair we all deserve. In his resurrection, he calls us up higher to his marvelous banquet seats. This week, perhaps we should look for opportunities to choose the lowest seat. We’ll be pleasantly surprised when we do.