Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 4, 2017
First Reading: Romans 11.1-2a, 11-12, 25-29
1Therefore, I say: Has God driven away his people? Let it not be so! For I, too, am an Israelite of the offspring of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin2God has not driven away his people, whom he foreknew. And do you not know what Scripture says in Elijah, how he calls upon God against Israel11Therefore, I say: Have they stumbled in such a way that they should fall? Let it not be so! Instead, by their offense, salvation is with the Gentiles, so that they may be a rival to them12Now if their offense is the riches of the world, and if their diminution is the riches of the Gentiles, how much more is their fullness25For I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery (lest you seem wise only to yourselves) that a certain blindness has occurred in Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has arrived26And in this way, all of Israel may be saved, just as it was written: "From Zion shall arrive he who delivers, and he shall turn impiety away from Jacob27And this will be my covenant for them, when I will take away their sins.28Certainly, according to the Gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But according to the election, they are most beloved for the sake of the fathers29For the gifts and the call of God are without regret
Psalm 94
1A Psalm of David himself. The Fourth Sabbath. The Lord is the God of retribution. The God of retribution acts in order to deliver2Lift yourself up, for you judge the earth. Repay the arrogant with retribution3How long will sinners, O Lord, how long will sinners glory4How long will they utter and speak iniquity? How long will all who work injustice speak out5They have humiliated your people, O Lord, and they have harassed your inheritance6They have executed the widow and the new arrival, and they have slaughtered the orphan7And they have said, "The Lord will not see, nor will the God of Jacob understand.8Understand, you senseless ones among the people. And be wise at last, you foolish ones9He who formed the ear, will he not hear? And he who forged the eye, does he not look closely10He who chastises nations, he who teaches man knowledge, will he not rebuke11The Lord knows the thoughts of men: that these are in vain12Blessed is the man whom you will instruct, O Lord. And you will teach him from your law13So may you soothe him from the evil days, until a pit may be dug for sinners14For the Lord will not drive away his people, and he will not abandon his inheritance15even until the time when justice is being converted into judgment, and when those who are close to justice are all those who are upright of heart16Who will rise up with me against the malignant? Or who will stand with me against the workers of iniquity17Except that the Lord assisted me, my soul almost would have dwelt in Hell18If ever I said, "My foot is slipping," then your mercy, O Lord, assisted me19According to the multitude of my sorrows in my heart, your consolations have given joy to my soul20Does the seat of iniquity adhere to you, you who contrive hardship within a commandment21They will hunt down the soul of the just, and they will condemn innocent blood22And the Lord has been made into a refuge for me, and my God into the assistance of my hope23And he will repay them their iniquity, and he will destroy them in their malice. The Lord our God will utterly destroy them
Gospel: Luke 14.1, 7-11
1And it happened that, when Jesus entered the house of a certain leader of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread, they were observing him7Then he also told a parable, to those who were invited, noticing how they chose the first seats at the table, saying to them8"When you are invited to a wedding, do not sit down in the first place, lest perhaps someone more honored than yourself may have been invited by him9And then he who called both you and him, approaching, may say to you, ‘Give this place to him.’ And then you would begin, with shame, to take the last place10But when you are invited, go, sit down in the lowest place, so that, when he who invited you arrives, he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the sight of those who sit at table together with you11For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are presented with profound lessons on humility and God’s inclusive plan. The first reading from Romans 11 reminds us that God’s gifts are irrevocable, emphasizing that Israel’s current state is not final. Paul highlights a mystery where a partial blindness has befallen Israel, allowing the Gentiles to be incorporated into God’s plan, ultimately leading to the salvation of all Israel. This passage underscores God’s faithfulness and the unity of His people across different groups.
The Gospel from Luke 14 offers a parable on humility, where Jesus advises against seeking the highest seat at a banquet. Instead, He encourages taking the lowest place, trusting that the host may exalt us. This teaching critiques social hierarchies and the pride that often accompanies them, urging us to embrace humility and trust in God’s timing and exaltation.
Both readings connect through themes of humility and trust in God’s plan. Paul’s message of inclusion mirrors Jesus’s parable, reminding us that true greatness comes from humility. In our daily lives, this means embracing modesty in our interactions and trusting in God’s larger plan. The moral lesson here is clear: humility leads to exaltation, and God’s plan is one of unity and inclusion for all people. Let us strive to live with this humility, trusting in God’s wisdom and timing.