First reading Philippians 1:18-26
Life to me is Christ; but death would bring me more
Christ is proclaimed; and that makes me happy; and I shall continue being happy, because I know this will help to save me, thanks to your prayers and to the help which will be given to me by the Spirit of Jesus. My one hope and trust is that I shall never have to admit defeat, but that now as always I shall have the courage for Christ to be glorified in my body, whether by my life or by my death. Life to me, of course, is Christ, but then death would bring me something more; but then again, if living in this body means doing work which is having good results – I do not know what I should choose. I am caught in this dilemma: I want to be gone and be with Christ, which would be very much the better, but for me to stay alive in this body is a more urgent need for your sake. This weighs with me so much that I feel sure I shall survive and stay with you all, and help you to progress in the faith and even increase your joy in it; and so you will have another reason to give praise to Christ Jesus on my account when I am with you again.
Responsorial Psalm 41(42):2-3,5
My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life.
Like the deer that yearns
for running streams,
so my soul is yearning
for you, my God.
My soul is thirsting for God,
the God of my life;
when can I enter and see
the face of God?
I would lead the rejoicing crowd
into the house of God,
amid cries of gladness and thanksgiving.
Gospel Luke 14:1,7-11
Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled
Now on a sabbath day Jesus had gone for a meal to 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 honour. He said this, ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. 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 would 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.” In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’
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Human praise is not what I seek
In today’s gospel, Jesus was at a banquet and saw His fellow guests eager to have an honourable seat at the table. He then went on to speak about a parable about how those who seek the best places often had to take the lowly places while those who were contented to take the humble seat found themselves having the honourable places at the table. Thus, He is critical of those who want to seek honour for themselves. Jesus invites us not to be concerned with having honour and recognition from others because what matters most is the honour that we get from God.
In the first reading, St. Paul states with great conviction, “…I shall have the courage for Christ to be glorified in my body, whether by my life or by my death. Life to me, of course, is Christ…”. Do we have the same conviction as St. Paul? Can we say, “Life is Christ, not honour, status, power. Having Him, I am contented”?
Reflective question:
What is Jesus’ message to me in this time of prayer?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
