Nov 5 2024

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

I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.
I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him.
The lowly shall eat their fill;
they who seek the Lord shall praise him:
“May your hearts be ever merry!”
I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.
All the ends of the earth
shall remember and turn to the Lord;
All the families of the nations
shall bow down before him.
I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.
For dominion is the Lord’s,
and he rules the nations.
To him alone shall bow down
all who sleep in the earth.
I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.
To him my soul shall live;
my descendants shall serve him.
Let the coming generation be told of the Lord
that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born
the justice he has shown.
I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

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.”’

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Relationship with God

Today, we are presented with the image of the banquet in God’s kingdom, symbolizing a close relationship with Him. This is a relationship to which everyone is invited, as we read in the gospel. The good news is that God invites each of us into His banquet, for He desires all people, without exception, to come to know Him personally. However, the decision to respond and enter the banquet is not forced upon us. It is a choice we make freely. Moreover, God invites us not just once or twice but in every moment of each day to grow in our knowledge of who He is. He beckons us to draw closer to His heart. As we experience His love more deeply, we can truly love others with His love.

Let us wait no longer. Let us find no more excuses. May we respond to God’s invitation and taste the happiness of living in a relationship with Him.

Reflective question:
Am I open to responding ‘yes’ to God’s invitation today?

Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year B” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.