Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 484
Lectionary: 484
Brothers and sisters:
As long as in every way, whether in pretense or in truth,
Christ is being proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Indeed I shall continue to rejoice,
for I know that this will result in deliverance for me
through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
My eager expectation and hope
is that I shall not be put to shame in any way,
but that with all boldness, now as always,
Christ will be magnified in my body,
whether by life or by death.
For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.
And I do not know which I shall choose.
I am caught between the two.
I long to depart this life and be with Christ,
for that is far better.
Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.
And this I know with confidence,
that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you
for your progress and joy in the faith,
so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me
when I come to you again.
As long as in every way, whether in pretense or in truth,
Christ is being proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Indeed I shall continue to rejoice,
for I know that this will result in deliverance for me
through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
My eager expectation and hope
is that I shall not be put to shame in any way,
but that with all boldness, now as always,
Christ will be magnified in my body,
whether by life or by death.
For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.
And I do not know which I shall choose.
I am caught between the two.
I long to depart this life and be with Christ,
for that is far better.
Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.
And this I know with confidence,
that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you
for your progress and joy in the faith,
so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me
when I come to you again.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 42:2, 3, 5CDEF
R. My soul
is thirsting for the living God.
As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
I went with the throng
and led them in procession to the house of God.
Amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiving,
with the multitude keeping festival.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
I went with the throng
and led them in procession to the house of God.
Amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiving,
with the multitude keeping festival.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
AlleluiaMT 11:29AB
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 14:1, 7-11
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.
He told a parable to those who had been invited,
noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
"When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not recline at table in the place of honor.
A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,
'Give your place to this man,'
and then you would proceed with embarrassment
to take the lowest place.
Rather, 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.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.
He told a parable to those who had been invited,
noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
"When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not recline at table in the place of honor.
A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,
'Give your place to this man,'
and then you would proceed with embarrassment
to take the lowest place.
Rather, 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.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Meditation: "Every one who
exalts himself will be humbled"
Who wants to be last? Isn't it only natural to desire
respect and esteem from others? Jesus' parable of the guests invited to the
marriage feast probes our motives for seeking honor and position.
Self-promotion is most often achieved at the expense of others! Jesus' parable
reinforces the teaching of Proverbs: Do not put yourself forward in the
king's presence or stand in the place of the great; for it is better to be
told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of the
prince (Proverbs 25:6-7).
True humility frees us to be our true selves as God
sees us
What is true humility and why should we make it a characteristic mark of our life and action? True humility is not feeling bad about yourself, or having a low opinion of yourself, or thinking of yourself as inferior to others. True humility frees us from preoccupation with ourselves, whereas a low self-opinion tends to focus our attention on ourselves. Humility is truth in self-understanding and truth in action. Viewing ourselves truthfully, with sober judgment, means seeing ourselves the way God sees us (Psalm 139:1-4). A humble person makes a realistic assessment of himself or herself without illusion or pretense to be something he or she is not. The humble regard themselves neither smaller nor larger than they truly are.
What is true humility and why should we make it a characteristic mark of our life and action? True humility is not feeling bad about yourself, or having a low opinion of yourself, or thinking of yourself as inferior to others. True humility frees us from preoccupation with ourselves, whereas a low self-opinion tends to focus our attention on ourselves. Humility is truth in self-understanding and truth in action. Viewing ourselves truthfully, with sober judgment, means seeing ourselves the way God sees us (Psalm 139:1-4). A humble person makes a realistic assessment of himself or herself without illusion or pretense to be something he or she is not. The humble regard themselves neither smaller nor larger than they truly are.
True humility frees us to be our true selves and to
avoid despair and pride. A humble person does not have to wear a mask or put on
a facade in order to look good to others, especially to those who are not
really familiar with that person. The humble are not swayed by accidentals,
such as fame, reputation, success, or failure.
True humility frees us to love and serve selflessly
for the good of others
Humility is the queen or foundation of all the other virtues because it enables us to view and judge ourselves correctly, the way God sees us. Humility leads to true self-knowledge, honesty, realism, strength, and dedication to give ourselves to something greater than ourselves. Humility frees us to love and serve others selflessly, for their sake, rather than our own. Paul the Apostle, gives us the greatest example and model of humility in the person of Jesus Christ, who emptied himself, taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:7-8). The Lord Jesus gives grace - his abundant favor and help - to all who humbly seek him. Do you want to be a servant as Jesus served?
Humility is the queen or foundation of all the other virtues because it enables us to view and judge ourselves correctly, the way God sees us. Humility leads to true self-knowledge, honesty, realism, strength, and dedication to give ourselves to something greater than ourselves. Humility frees us to love and serve others selflessly, for their sake, rather than our own. Paul the Apostle, gives us the greatest example and model of humility in the person of Jesus Christ, who emptied himself, taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:7-8). The Lord Jesus gives grace - his abundant favor and help - to all who humbly seek him. Do you want to be a servant as Jesus served?
"Lord Jesus, you became a servant for my sake to
set me free from the tyranny of sin, selfishness, and conceit. Help me to be
humble as you are humble and to love freely and graciously all whom you call me
to serve."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Jesus calls us to be humble, modest, and praiseworthy, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"'When,' he says, 'a man more honorable than you comes, he that invited you and him will say, 'Give this man place.' Oh, what great shame is there in having to do this! It is like a theft, so to speak, and the restitution of the stolen goods. He must restore what he has seized because he had no right to take it. The modest and praiseworthy person, who without fear of blame might have claimed the dignity of sitting among the foremost, does not seek it. He yields to others what might be called his own, that he may not even seem to be overcome by empty pride. Such a one shall receive honor as his due. He says, 'He shall hear him who invited him say, "Come up here."... If any one among you wants to be set above others, let him win it by the decree of heaven and be crowned by those honors that God bestows. Let him surpass the many by having the testimony of glorious virtues. The rule of virtue is a lowly mind that does not love boasting. It is humility. The blessed Paul also counted this worthy of all esteem. He writes to those who eagerly desire saintly pursuits, 'Love humility.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 101.5)
"'When,' he says, 'a man more honorable than you comes, he that invited you and him will say, 'Give this man place.' Oh, what great shame is there in having to do this! It is like a theft, so to speak, and the restitution of the stolen goods. He must restore what he has seized because he had no right to take it. The modest and praiseworthy person, who without fear of blame might have claimed the dignity of sitting among the foremost, does not seek it. He yields to others what might be called his own, that he may not even seem to be overcome by empty pride. Such a one shall receive honor as his due. He says, 'He shall hear him who invited him say, "Come up here."... If any one among you wants to be set above others, let him win it by the decree of heaven and be crowned by those honors that God bestows. Let him surpass the many by having the testimony of glorious virtues. The rule of virtue is a lowly mind that does not love boasting. It is humility. The blessed Paul also counted this worthy of all esteem. He writes to those who eagerly desire saintly pursuits, 'Love humility.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 101.5)
SATURDAY,
NOVEMBER 3, LUKE 14:1, 7-11
Weekday
(Philippians 1:18b-26; Psalm 42)
Weekday
(Philippians 1:18b-26; Psalm 42)
KEY VERSE: "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted" (v. 11).
TO KNOW: Jesus shared a Sabbath meal at the home of a leading Pharisee, and he used the opportunity to teach a lesson on humility to both host and guests. Noticing the competition for the seat of honor at table, he suggested that the guests take the lowest place. Should the host move them to a higher position they would be honored, and they would not be embarrassed by being asked to take a lower place. Jesus reminded his host not to invite only the wealthy and important people to his home; he should also open his doors to the weak and powerless. Although these poor were in no position to repay their host for his generosity, he would be richly rewarded at the "resurrection of the just" (v. 14).
TO LOVE: What is my attitude toward the underprivileged?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, teach me to imitate your charity toward all people.
Optional Memorial of Saint Martin
de Porres, religious
Martin de Porres is the first black American saint. He was the illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman and a young freed black slave. He grew up in poverty, and spent part of his youth with a surgeon-barber from whom he learned some medicine and care of the sick. At age 11 he became a servant in the Dominican priory. He begged more than $2,000 a week from the rich to support the poor and sick of Lima, Peru. Placed in charge of the Dominican's infirmary, Martin was known for his tender care of the sick and for his spectacular cures. His superiors abandoned the stipulation that "no black person may be received to the holy habit or profession of our order" and Martin took vows as a Dominican brother. Martin established an orphanage and children's hospital for the poor children of the slums. He was venerated from the day of his death. Many miraculous cures, including raising the dead were attributed to Brother Martin. He was canonized in 1962 by Pope John XXIII.
Saturday 3
November 2018
Philippians 1:18-26. Psalm 42(43):2-3, 5. Luke 14:1, 7-11.
My soul is thirsting for the living God –
Psalm 42(43):2-3, 5.
‘I will continue to rejoice.’
After noticing the guests at the banquet taking the highest
places at table, Jesus gives a parable on how to enter the way of humility.
What does it mean to seek the lowest place? In telling a parable of how to sit
at a formal public meal, Jesus encourages his listeners to consider how to live
in relations with others; he encourages us to sit among the poor and lowly.
Lord Jesus, how often do I catch myself doing things in order to
be recognised and honoured. Help me to know what true humility is. Give me
humility of heart that frees me from the desire to be admired and regarded
highly. Teach me the humility that takes up the call to identify with the poor.
Saint Martin de Porres
Saint of the Day for November 3
(December 9, 1579 – November 3, 1639)
 |
| Saint Martin de Porres | St Dominic’s priory church in London | photo by Lawrence OP |
Saint Martin de Porres’ Story
“Father unknown” is the cold legal phrase sometimes used on
baptismal records. “Half-breed” or “war souvenir” is the cruel name inflicted
by those of “pure” blood. Like many others, Martin might have grown to be a
bitter man, but he did not. It was said that even as a child he gave his heart
and his goods to the poor and despised.
He was the son of a freed woman of Panama, probably black but
also possibly of indigenous stock, and a Spanish grandee of Lima, Peru. His
parents never married each other. Martin inherited the features and dark
complexion of his mother. That irked his father, who finally acknowledged his
son after eight years. After the birth of a sister, the father abandoned the
family. Martin was reared in poverty, locked into a low level of Lima’s
society.
When he was 12, his mother apprenticed him to a barber-surgeon.
Martin learned how to cut hair and also how to draw blood—a standard medical
treatment then—care for wounds, and prepare and administer medicines.
After a few years in this medical apostolate, Martin applied to
the Dominicans to be a “lay helper,” not feeling himself worthy to be a
religious brother. After nine years, the example of his prayer and penance,
charity and humility, led the community to request him to make full religious
profession. Many of his nights were spent in prayer and penitential practices;
his days were filled with nursing the sick and caring for the poor. It was
particularly impressive that he treated all people regardless of their color, race,
or status. He was instrumental in founding an orphanage, took care of slaves
brought from Africa, and managed the daily alms of the priory with
practicality, as well as generosity. He became the procurator for both priory
and city, whether it was a matter of “blankets, shirts, candles, candy,
miracles or prayers!” When his priory was in debt, he said, “I am only a poor
mulatto. Sell me. I am the property of the order. Sell me.”
Side by side with his daily work in the kitchen, laundry, and
infirmary, Martin’s life reflected God’s extraordinary gifts: ecstasies that
lifted him into the air, light filling the room where he prayed, bi-location,
miraculous knowledge, instantaneous cures, and a remarkable rapport with
animals. His charity extended to beasts of the field and even to the vermin of
the kitchen. He would excuse the raids of mice and rats on the grounds that
they were underfed; he kept stray cats and dogs at his sister’s house.
Martin became a formidable fundraiser, obtaining thousands of
dollars for dowries for poor girls so that they could marry or enter a convent.
Many of his fellow religious took Martin as their spiritual
director, but he continued to call himself a “poor slave.” He was a good friend
of another Dominican saint of Peru, Rose
of Lima.
Reflection
Racism is a sin almost nobody confesses. Like pollution, it is a
“sin of the world” that is everybody’s responsibility but apparently nobody’s
fault. One could hardly imagine a more fitting patron of Christian
forgiveness–on the part of those discriminated against—and Christian justice—on
the part of reformed racists—than Martin de Porres.
Saint Martin de Porres is the Patron Saint of:
African Americans
Barbers
Hairdressers
Race Relations
Radio
Social Justice
Barbers
Hairdressers
Race Relations
Radio
Social Justice
LECTIO DIVINA: LUKE 14:1,7-11
Lectio Divina:
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Almighty and ever-living God,
strengthen our faith, hope and love.
May we do with loving hearts
what you ask of us
and come to share the life you promise.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
strengthen our faith, hope and love.
May we do with loving hearts
what you ask of us
and come to share the life you promise.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Luke 14:1,7-11
It happened that on a Sabbath day Jesus
had gone to share a meal in the house of one of the leading Pharisees and they
watched Him closely. He then told the guests a parable because He had noticed
how they picked the places of honor. He said this: "When someone invites
you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honor. A more
distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited
you both may come and say, "Give up your place to this man." And
then, to your embarrassment, you will have to go and take the lowest place.
No, when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that when your host comes he may say "My friend, move up higher." Then, everyone with you at the table will see you honored.
For everyone who raises himself up will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be raised up."
No, when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that when your host comes he may say "My friend, move up higher." Then, everyone with you at the table will see you honored.
For everyone who raises himself up will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be raised up."
3) Reflection
• Context. The Word of grace that Jesus
visibly rendered with His teaching and the cures He worked runs the risk of
being suppressed. For Jesus, the event of death is always closer, like
all the prophets who have preceded him. Such a reality which Jesus is going
toward shows not only God’s patience, but man’s rejection b. By rejecting
Jesus as the one sent, the Father’s only Word of grace , man condemns
himself and closes the possibility that the Father has given him
access to salvation. However, hope is not extinguished. It is
possible that some day man will recognize Jesus as “the one” who comes from the
Lord and that will be a reason to rejoice. Therefore, the conclusion of chapter
13 of Luke’s Gospel makes us understand that salvation is not a human
enterprise, but can only be received as an absolutely gratuitous gift. Let us
see, then, how this gift of salvation is fulfilled while always keeping in mind
this rejection of Jesus as the only one sent by God.
• The invitation to lunch. In the face of the danger of being reduced to silence it might have been suggested to Jesus that He flee. Instead, He accepts the invitation to lunch. The attitude of Jesus makes one understand that He does not fear the attempts of aggression against His person, they Him . Inviting Him is “one of the heads of the Pharisees”, a person who has authority. The invitation takes place on a Saturday, an ideal day for a festive lunch which was usually taken around noon after all had participated in the liturgy in the Synagogue. During lunch, the Pharisees “were observing him” (v. 11): an act of supervision and control that refers to the suspicion regarding His behavior. In other words, they observe Him, expecting that He will do some inappropriate action regarding their law. Finally, they corner Him, not to safeguard the observance of the law, but rather to catch Him in some gesture of His. In the meantime, on Saturday, having cured the one suffering from dropsy before the Pharisees and the Doctors of the Law, He expresses two reflections on how it is necessary to accept an invitation to table and in the spirit in which the invitation is to be given (vv. 12-14). The first one Luke calls a “parable”, that is to say, an example, a model or a teaching to be followed. Above all, it is necessary to invite with gratuity and with freedom of spirit. Frequently, men go ahead and ask to be invited instead of waiting to receive an invitation. For Luke, the point of view of God is the contrary. It is that of humility: “He has pulled down princes from their thrones and raised high the lowly”. The call to participate in the “great supper” of the Kingdom has, as a result, an improvement in the level of life for the one who is capable to accept the invitation of salvation with gratitude .
• The last place. It is true that to cede or give up one’s own place to others is not gratifying. It could be humiliating and is a limitation of one’s pride. It is even more humiliating and a reason to feel embarrassed when one has to move to the last place because it is a dishonour in the eyes of all. Luke thinks of all those humiliating and painful situations of shame in which the believer can find himself, in the place reserved for one who lives these events before the eyes of God and His Kingdom. The proud, those who seek to have first places, and the important gratify themselves because of their social position. On the contrary, when Jesus came to live among us, “there was no place for him” (2, 7) and He decided to remain, choosing a place among the poor and humble people. This is why God raised Him and exalted Him. From here comes the precious suggestion to choose His attitude, considering the last place as a privilege. The reader may remain disturbed by these words of Jesus that undermine the utilitarian and egoistic sense of life, but in the long run His teaching reveals itself to be necessary to ascend on high and the way of humility that leads to glory.
• The invitation to lunch. In the face of the danger of being reduced to silence it might have been suggested to Jesus that He flee. Instead, He accepts the invitation to lunch. The attitude of Jesus makes one understand that He does not fear the attempts of aggression against His person, they Him . Inviting Him is “one of the heads of the Pharisees”, a person who has authority. The invitation takes place on a Saturday, an ideal day for a festive lunch which was usually taken around noon after all had participated in the liturgy in the Synagogue. During lunch, the Pharisees “were observing him” (v. 11): an act of supervision and control that refers to the suspicion regarding His behavior. In other words, they observe Him, expecting that He will do some inappropriate action regarding their law. Finally, they corner Him, not to safeguard the observance of the law, but rather to catch Him in some gesture of His. In the meantime, on Saturday, having cured the one suffering from dropsy before the Pharisees and the Doctors of the Law, He expresses two reflections on how it is necessary to accept an invitation to table and in the spirit in which the invitation is to be given (vv. 12-14). The first one Luke calls a “parable”, that is to say, an example, a model or a teaching to be followed. Above all, it is necessary to invite with gratuity and with freedom of spirit. Frequently, men go ahead and ask to be invited instead of waiting to receive an invitation. For Luke, the point of view of God is the contrary. It is that of humility: “He has pulled down princes from their thrones and raised high the lowly”. The call to participate in the “great supper” of the Kingdom has, as a result, an improvement in the level of life for the one who is capable to accept the invitation of salvation with gratitude .
• The last place. It is true that to cede or give up one’s own place to others is not gratifying. It could be humiliating and is a limitation of one’s pride. It is even more humiliating and a reason to feel embarrassed when one has to move to the last place because it is a dishonour in the eyes of all. Luke thinks of all those humiliating and painful situations of shame in which the believer can find himself, in the place reserved for one who lives these events before the eyes of God and His Kingdom. The proud, those who seek to have first places, and the important gratify themselves because of their social position. On the contrary, when Jesus came to live among us, “there was no place for him” (2, 7) and He decided to remain, choosing a place among the poor and humble people. This is why God raised Him and exalted Him. From here comes the precious suggestion to choose His attitude, considering the last place as a privilege. The reader may remain disturbed by these words of Jesus that undermine the utilitarian and egoistic sense of life, but in the long run His teaching reveals itself to be necessary to ascend on high and the way of humility that leads to glory.
4) Personal questions
• In your friendships with others, does
the calculation of interest and the expectation to receive something in
exchange, prevail?
• In your relationship with others, i is there always and everywhere your “I”, even when you do something for the brothers and sisters? Are you ready to give yourself in what you are?
• In your relationship with others, i is there always and everywhere your “I”, even when you do something for the brothers and sisters? Are you ready to give yourself in what you are?
5) Concluding Prayer
I thirst for God, the living God;
when shall I go to see the face of God?
I have no food but tears day and night,
as all day long I am taunted, "Where is your God?" (Ps 42,2-3)
when shall I go to see the face of God?
I have no food but tears day and night,
as all day long I am taunted, "Where is your God?" (Ps 42,2-3)
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