First reading Philippians 2:5-11
Christ humbled himself but God raised him high
In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus:
His state was divine,
yet he did not cling
to his equality with God
but emptied himself
to assume the condition of a slave,
and became as men are;
and being as all men are,
he was humbler yet,
even to accepting death,
death on a cross.
But God raised him high
and gave him the name
which is above all other names
so that all beings in the heavens,
on earth and in the underworld,
should bend the knee at the name of Jesus
and that every tongue should acclaim
Jesus Christ as Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Responsorial Psalm 21(22):26-32
You are my praise, O Lord, in the great assembly.
My vows I will pay before those who fear the Lord.
The poor shall eat and shall have their fill.
They shall praise the Lord, those who seek him.
May their hearts live for ever and ever!
All the earth shall remember and return to the Lord,
all families of the nations worship before him;
for the kingdom is the Lord’s, he is ruler of the nations.
They shall worship him, all the mighty of the earth.
And my soul shall live for him, my children serve him.
They shall tell of the Lord to generations yet to come,
declare his faithfulness to peoples yet unborn:
‘These things the Lord has done.’
Gospel Luke 14:15-24
‘Not one of those who were invited shall have a taste of my banquet’
One of those gathered round the table said to Jesus, ‘Happy the man who will be at the feast in the kingdom of God!’ But he said to him, ‘There was a man who gave a great banquet, and he invited a large number of people. When the time for the banquet came, he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, “Come along: everything is ready now.” But all alike started to make excuses. The first said, “I have bought a piece of land and must go and see it. Please accept my apologies.” Another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen and am on my way to try them out. Please accept my apologies.” Yet another said, “I have just got married and so am unable to come.”
‘The servant returned and reported this to his master. Then the householder, in a rage, said to his servant, “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” “Sir” said the servant “your orders have been carried out and there is still room.” Then the master said to his servant, “Go to the open roads and the hedgerows and force people to come in to make sure my house is full; because, I tell you, not one of those who were invited shall have a taste of my banquet.”’
A Humble Heart, a Place at God’s Table
In the first reading, St Paul says, “In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus: His state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality to God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave…” Though Jesus is God, He chooses to draw near to us, not with power or pride, but with compassion, humility and love. He freely sets aside privilege and puts Himself in service of others. His humility is not weakness, but strength rooted in love and trust in God. St Paul invites us to let Jesus’ attitude shape how we think and live, so we too place ourselves in the service of others.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of a great banquet. When the invited guests make excuses and refuse to come, the host opens his door to the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. The banquet points to God’s generous invitation to share in His life and joy. We are called to accept God’s invitation by having a willing heart. Like those invited to the banquet, we can be so caught up in our responsibilities, possessions and plans that we leave little room for Him. Today, let us make room for God in our lives by responding not only in prayer, but also by making time to serve someone in need. In this way, they too may know that God welcomes them at His table.
Reflective question:
When have I been so caught up in my responsibilities, possessions, or plans that I have left little room for God, and how can I make room for Him by serving someone in need?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
