First Reading: Philippians 1:18b-26
So that by all means, whether by occasion or by truth, Christ be preached: in this also I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
For I know that this shall turn out to my salvation, through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my expectation and hope, that in nothing I shall be confounded, but with all confidence, as always, so now also shall Christ be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. And if to live in the flesh, this is to me the fruit of labor, and what I shall choose I know not. But I am straitened between two, having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, a thing by far the better.
But to abide still in the flesh is needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all, for your furtherance and joy of faith, that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus for me, by my coming to you again.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 42:2, 3, 5cdef
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
Alleluia: Matthew 11:29ab
Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-11
And it came to pass, when Jesus went into the house of one of the chief of the Pharisees on the Sabbath day to eat bread, that they watched him.
And he spoke a parable also to those that were invited, marking how they chose the first seats at the table, saying to them: When you are invited to a wedding, sit not down in the first place, lest perhaps one more honorable than you be invited by him, and he that invited you and him come and say to you, Give this man place, and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place.
But when you are invited, go, sit down in the lowest place, that when he who invited you comes, he may say to you: Friend, go up higher. Then you shall have glory before them that sit at table with you. Because everyone that exalts himself shall be humbled, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.
Reflection
At that banquet, everyone is watching where everyone sits. Everyone wants the first seat. Jesus watches too, but He sees the heart behind it.
He says - when you are invited, take the lowest place. Not because you are worthless, but because you are free. You don't need to prove yourself. Let the host lift you up.
Paul lived this freedom. For him, to live is Christ, to die is gain. He doesn't cling to life or to death, to honor or to shame. He only wants Christ to be magnified. That is the soul that thirsts like the deer for running water - it thirsts only for the living God, not for seats and honors.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you are meek and humble of heart. My soul thirsts for you, but I often thirst for recognition. Teach me to take the lowest place with joy, to not exalt myself. Let my life be only this - to live is Christ. Amen.
