First reading Philippians 2:1-4
Be united in your love
If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we have in common, or any tenderness and sympathy, then be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind. That is the one thing which would make me completely happy. There must be no competition among you, no conceit; but everybody is to be self-effacing. Always consider the other person to be better than yourself, so that nobody thinks of his own interests first but everybody thinks of other people’s interests instead.
Responsorial Psalm 130(131)
Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.
O Lord, my heart is not proud
nor haughty my eyes.
I have not gone after things too great
nor marvels beyond me.
Truly I have set my soul
in silence and peace.
A weaned child on its mother’s breast,
even so is my soul.
O Israel, hope in the Lord
both now and forever.
Gospel Luke 14:12-14
Do not invite those who might be able to invite you back
Jesus said to his host, one of the leading Pharisees, ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.’
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Seeking no reward
What is Jesus’ message for us as we pray with today’s Gospel passage?
Jesus invites us to be generous and do good without seeking any reward. Sometimes, we do a good deed with the intention that the recipient can do something good for us in return. Thus, Jesus calls us to have genuine love that never asks the question, “What will I get in return?”. Today, let us give without counting the cost; fight without heeding the wounds; toil without seeking rest; and labour without asking for a reward. Instead, we fix our eyes on Jesus and set our hearts to please Him alone.
Reflective question:
What is Jesus’ invitation to me today?
What is Jesus’ invitation to me today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
