Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 3, 2018
First Reading: Philippians 1.18b-26
18But what does it matter? As long as, by every means, whether under pretext or in truthfulness, Christ is announced. And about this, I rejoice, and moreover, I will continue to rejoice19For I know that this will bring me to salvation, through your prayers and under the ministration of the Spirit of Jesus Christ20by means of my own expectation and hope. For in nothing shall I be confounded. Instead, with all confidence, now just as always, Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death21For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain22And while I live in the flesh, for me, there is the fruit of works. But I do not know which I would choose23For I am constrained between the two: having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, which is the far better thing24but then to remain in the flesh is necessary for your sake25And having this confidence, I know that I shall remain and that I shall continue to remain with all of you, for your advancement and for your joy in the faith26so that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus for me, through my return to you again
Psalm 42
1Unto the end. The understanding of the sons of Korah. As the deer longs for fountains of water, so my soul longs for you, O God2My soul has thirsted for the strong living God. When will I draw close and appear before the face of God3My tears have been my bread, day and night. Meanwhile, it is said to me daily: "Where is your God?4These things I have remembered; and my soul within me, I have poured out. For I will cross into the place of the wonderful tabernacle, all the way to the house of God, with a voice of exultation and confession, the sound of feasting5Why are you sad, my soul? And why do you disquiet me? Hope in God, for I will still confess to him: the salvation of my countenance6and my God. My soul has been troubled within myself. Because of this, I will remember you from the land of the Jordan and from Hermon, from the little mountain7Abyss calls upon abyss, with the voice of your floodgate. All your heights and your waves have passed over me8In the daylight, the Lord has ordered his mercy; and in the night, a canticle to him. With me is a prayer to the God of my life9I will say to God, "You are my supporter. Why have you forgotten me? And why do I walk in mourning, while my adversary afflicts me?10While my bones are being broken, my enemies, who trouble me, have reproached me. Meanwhile, they say to me every single day, "Where is your God?11My soul, why are you saddened? And why do you disquiet me? Hope in God, for I will still confess to him: the salvation of my countenance and my God
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 encounter two powerful lessons about humility and trust in God’s plan. The first reading from Philippians finds Paul in prison, yet he is filled with joy because he knows that, despite the challenges he faces, the Gospel is being proclaimed. Paul’s confidence comes not from his own strength but from his trust in God’s plan. He writes, “For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” showing that his ultimate hope is in union with Christ, whether through life or death. This passage reminds us that our true strength lies not in our circumstances but in our faith and surrender to God’s will.
The Gospel from Luke offers a parable about humility. Jesus notices how guests at a banquet rush to take the places of honor, and he warns against seeking to exalt oneself. Instead, he teaches that true greatness comes from humility. When we humbly take the lowest place, God will exalt us in His time. This parable challenges us to examine our attitudes in our interactions with others. Do we seek recognition and praise, or do we serve others with humility? Jesus makes it clear that “everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”
Both readings call us to live with humility and trust in God’s plan. Like Paul, we are to find joy in serving Christ, even in difficult circumstances, knowing that our ultimate reward is union with Him. And like the guests in the parable, we are to approach life with humility, recognizing that true greatness comes not from self-promotion but from surrendering to God’s will. Let us strive to live in such a way that Christ is magnified in us, whether through life’s triumphs or trials.