Daily Readings - Tue Nov 06 2018
Philippians
5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,7but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Luke
15When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, "Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!"16But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many.17And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'18But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.'19And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.'20And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.'21So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.'22And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.'23And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.24For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'"
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of humility and responsiveness to God’s call. The first reading from Philippians 2:5-11 presents us with the profound example of Christ’s humility. Though equal to God, He emptied Himself, taking on the form of a servant, and humbled Himself unto death on the Cross. This passage reminds us that true greatness is found not in power or status, but in self-giving love and obedience. Christ’s humility is not just an example; it is a call to imitate Him in our own lives.
The Gospel from Luke 14:15-24 complements this message with the parable of the great feast. A man prepares a grand banquet and invites many guests, but they all make excuses for why they cannot attend. Their excuses—whether about possessions, work, or family—reflect a lack of priority for the invitation they have received. The master’s response is to invite the poor, the disabled, and the outcasts, filling his house with those who are often overlooked. This parable challenges us to examine our own response to God’s invitation. How often do we allow the distractions and comforts of the world to take precedence over our relationship with God? The parable reminds us that God’s invitation is not just for the privileged or the perfect, but for all, especially those who are marginalized.
These readings together call us to a life of humility and radical responsiveness to God’s will. Just as Christ emptied Himself and became a servant, we too are called to let go of our pride and self-interest. Similarly, just as the master in the parable compels the outcasts to come in, we are reminded that God’s invitation is universal and urgent. Let us ask ourselves: What excuses are we making for not fully embracing God’s call in our lives? Are we too focused on our own plans and possessions to hear His voice? Let us strive to imitate Christ’s humility and to respond generously to the invitation to follow Him, so that we may find true joy and fulfillment in His kingdom.