Daily Readings - Sun Aug 28 2022

¹⁷And you will be built up in justice, and you will be remembered in the day of tribulation. And your sins will dissolve like ice in warm weather¹⁸What an evil form has he who forsakes his father! And whoever exasperates his mother is accursed by God¹⁹Son, perform your works in meekness, and you shall be loved beyond the glory of men²⁰However great you may be, humble yourself in all things, and you will find grace in the presence of God²⁸A heart advancing in two directions will not have success, and the depraved heart will be scandalized in this way²⁹A wicked heart will be burdened with sorrows, and a sinner will add further sins

Hebrews

Chapter 12

¹⁸But you have not drawn near to a tangible mountain, or a burning fire, or a whirlwind, or a mist, or a storm¹⁹or the sound of a trumpet, or a voice of words. Those who had experienced these things excused themselves, lest the Word be spoken to them²²But you have drawn near to mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of Angels²³and to the Church of the first-born, those who have been inscribed in the heavens, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect²⁴and to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Testament, and to a sprinkling of blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel

Luke

Chapter 14

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.¹²Then he also said to the one who had invited him: "When you prepare a lunch or dinner, do not choose to call your friends, or your brothers, or your relatives, or your wealthy neighbors, lest perhaps they might then invite you in return and repayment would made to you¹³But when you prepare a feast, call the poor, the disabled, the lame, and the blind¹⁴And you will be blessed because they do not have a way to repay you. So then, your recompense will be in the resurrection of the just.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the virtues of humility and compassion, which are central to living a life pleasing to God. The first reading from Sirach reminds us that true greatness is found in humility and in honoring our parents. It warns against the dangers of a divided heart and the burdens that come from sin. The second reading from Hebrews contrasts the terrifying majesty of God’s presence on Mount Sinai with the grace and beauty of Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem. Here, we find ourselves in the company of angels, the first-born, and the Mediator of the New Covenant, Jesus Christ. The Gospel from Luke offers a practical lesson in humility and generosity. Jesus teaches us not to seek the highest places or to invite only those who can repay us, but rather to humble ourselves and extend kindness to those in need. These readings are connected by the theme of humility and the call to live in a way that reflects God’s love. Sirach emphasizes the importance of humility in our relationships and actions, while Hebrews lifts our gaze to the heavenly reality that grounds our hope. Luke’s parable challenges us to embody humility and compassion in our daily interactions. Together, they remind us that true exaltation comes not from seeking glory for ourselves, but from serving others and living with a humble heart. As we apply these readings to our lives, let us examine how we can practice humility and compassion. Do we seek the lowest place, or do we try to elevate ourselves? Do we invite others into our lives, especially those who cannot repay us? Let us remember that our ultimate reward comes not from earthly recognition, but from the resurrection of the just. May we strive to live in a way that reflects the humility of Christ and the love of God, knowing that in doing so, we will find true glory in His sight.