Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 4, 2017
First Reading: Romans 11.1-2a, 11-12, 25-29
1I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.2God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel?11So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.12Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!25Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.26And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob";27"and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins."28As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.29For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Psalm 94
1O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth!2Rise up, O judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve!3O LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult?4They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast.5They crush your people, O LORD, and afflict your heritage.6They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless;7and they say, "The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive."8Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise?9He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see?10He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge--11the LORD--knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.12Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law,13to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.14For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage;15for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.16Who rises up for me against the wicked? Who stands up for me against evildoers?17If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.18When I thought, "My foot slips," your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.19When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.20Can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who frame injustice by statute?21They band together against the life of the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.22But the LORD has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge.23He will bring back on them their iniquity and wipe them out for their wickedness; the LORD our God will wipe them out.
Gospel: Luke 14.1, 7-11
1One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully.7Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them,8"When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him,9and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this person,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place.10But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will 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.