Catherine McAuley fulfilled the Prophetic role of Jesus when she visited prisoners. As a part of the Prophetic role, one must work for freedom and act for human dignity. Prisoners being placed in jail at this time were usually Christians who were not allowed to practice their faith. This was because of the Anti-Catholic Penal Laws which were being enforced over Ireland.  This made Christians rebel against law enforcement, consequently, they were placed in jail. When Catherine visited these people, she was acting for freedom of speech and attempting to keep their human dignity intact whilst they were being punished in prison. This is similar to when Jesus spoke against those who attempted to hinder his mission to preach the word of the Lord. 

Catherine fulfilled the Kingly Role of Jesus throughout all her life, particularly when she established the Sisters of Mercy in 1831. A Kingly Role relates to leadership, therefore, when Catherine McAuley established her order of sisters, she showed immense leadership skills and took a momentous step into helping the lives of thousands of people worldwide. The same goes for Jesus Christ; he instructed others and eventually was the one who inspired Catholicism which is currently the largest religion worldwide. In summary, it is evident that Catherine McAuley was influenced by the work of Jesus Christ as she successfully fulfilled the Priestly, Prophetic and Kingly Roles of Jesus during a time of social and religious diversity.

Mercy Health. (2019). Our History: about Catherine McAuley. Retrieved from https://www.mercyhealth.com.au/our-history/about-catherine-mcauley/

Mercy International Association. (2019). About Catherine. Retrieved from https://www.mercyworld.org/catherine/

 Mercy International Association. (2019). Catherine McAuley. Retrieved from https://www.mercyworld.org/

History: During the time of Jesus Christ, banquets were usually held at night in rooms which were brilliantly lighted. Anybody who did not receive an invitation to the feast were said to be cast out of the lighted room into the "outer darkness" of the night. The parable, Honor at a Banquet, makes reference to the seating arrangements at the table were these feasts took place. At a private banquet, the host/master of the house was in charge of the usually intimate event, however, at a public banquet, a distinguished guest, usually with the most power and influence was known as 'Governor of the Feast.' This meant that he sat at the head of the table and others would have to 'race' to the seats of honor beside him. The further away you were seated from the host, you were seen as not very relevant.

Culture: The parable suggests that, it was in the highest interest of the wealthy to only befriend those of equal social status. This is evident in verse 12, "do not invite your brothers or sisters, your relatives or your rich neighbors." During the time of Christ, families were either wealthy or poor and the reference to rich neighbors, suggests that this story was preached to the wealthy. Furthermore, the parable implies that the poor were shunned in society and that it was difficult for them to move up the social hierarchy at the time.

The World of the Text
This parable follows the same structure as a narrative. It begins with an orientation, which addresses the setting - a wedding banquet. After this it goes on to introducing characters: the host and yourself. The middle section of the parable discusses the concept of the places of honor at a banquet. With the final section being the resolution of how to avoid humiliation whilst repaying Christ.

Jesus decided to tell this story as he witnesses other guests fleeing to the places of honor at the banquet table. He begins by placing his audience in a scenario where they are at a  wedding banquet with a host and guests that have different rankings on the social hierarchy. He then relates back to the places of honor at a banquet and reminds the other guests of how humiliating it would be to get confronted by a host telling you to move to a lower place at the table. Jesus follows this by providing them with another example of choosing to sit at the lower place first and then being invited to move up by the host. This is  not only an instruction from the host, it gets the other guests attention and they will want to make conversation with you based on the fact you have been moved up by the hosts. When Jesus does this, he is essentially giving the audience a, 'would you rather scenario.' This suggests, that after he provides the example of the 'desired outcome' it is an important part of the parable.

This is the same when it comes to Jesus asking the host to invite the poor to the  banquet instead of the rich, family or friends. This could be considered the most important section of the parable as he reminds us of the message to care for others and help the poor.

The World In Front of the Text
This parable is very relevant to modern times as it challenges the actions of those who fail to be humble as well as remind us of the importance of caring for those less fortunate than ourselves. An appropriate audience for this text would be those who have excess money and shelter but choose not to give to those who are disadvantaged or homeless. This is very relevant to Catherine McAuley as she became wealthy due to inheritance and did not invite her family, friends or rich neighbors to her estate, but she brought a house and used it to provide food and shelter to the poor. Women and the poor living in Dublin during the time of Catherine McAuley, were cast out or imprisoned, so when she established the Sisters of Mercy she gave them back their dignity which is what Jesus instructs others at the banquet to do.

 
Sisters of Mercy, Brisbane. (2018). Catherine. Retrieved from https://www.brisbanemercy.org.au/

 
Wright, F. (1953). Manners and Customs of Bible Lands. Retrieved from http://www.baptistbiblebelievers.com/LinkClick.aspx fileticket=NMUXqVyfq70%3D&tabid=232&mid=762

Charlles, D. (Producer). (2018, January 7). Rerum Novarum [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeqzYaw97w4

Catherine was in touch with her world around her, she did not want to lock herself away in prayer like the typical nuns of the time, however she wanted to offer practical help to the people.

Catherine valued friendship and worked 

 with the clergy. Dr Daniel Murray who gave her first communion and was still part of her life after her parents died. Their friendship continued when she founded the Sisters of Mercy and he was Archbishop of Dublin at the time. 

Catherine found comfort in the rosary and it was documented that when she died (11/11/1841) she was holding her crucifix and her 15 decade rosary beads. The 15 decade rosary the Rosary is made up of three mysteries regarding the life of Christ: The Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries and the Glorious Mysteries. The Mystery has five meditations to it, during which the person prays an Our Father, 10 Hail Mary's and a Glory Be  - this is known as a "decade of the Rosary". If you pray an entire 15 decade Rosary that means you have thought on all 3 mysteries through the 5 meditations for each mystery which totals 15 decades.

 MERCY INTERNATIONAL. (2017). Catherine. Retrieved from https://www.mercyworld.org/

 Mercy Health. (2019). Our Foundress: Catherine McAuley. Retrieved from https://www.mercyhealth.com.au/

Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea. (2019). Mission and Ministry. Retrieved from https://institute.mercy.org.au/about-us/mission-and-ministry/