Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 31, 2020

First Reading: Philippians 1.18b-26

¹⁸What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,¹⁹for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,²⁰as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.²¹For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.²²If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.²³I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.²⁴But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.²⁵Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,²⁶so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

Psalm 42

Psalms

Chapter 42

¹As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.²My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?³My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me continually, "Where is your God?"⁴These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.⁵Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation⁶and my God.My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.⁷Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.⁸By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.⁹I say to God, my rock: "Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"¹⁰As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me continually, "Where is your God?"¹¹Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Gospel: Luke 14.1, 7-11

Luke

Chapter 14

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 invited to reflect on the virtues of humility and trust in God’s providence. The first reading from Philippians finds St. Paul in prison, yet his spirit remains unbroken. He rejoices because, despite his confinement, the Gospel is being preached, and he is confident that God will bring good out of his suffering. Paul’s trust in God’s plan is unwavering, and he sees his situation not as an end but as an opportunity for Christ to be glorified. His words remind us that our ultimate goal is to live and die for Christ, knowing that true life is found in Him. The Gospel from Luke presents a parable that underscores the importance of humility. Jesus observes how guests at a banquet rush to take the places of honor, only to risk being humiliated if someone more distinguished arrives. He teaches that true greatness comes not from seeking recognition but from embracing humility. This lesson challenges us to examine our own attitudes and behaviors, especially in social settings. It reminds us that humility is not about self-deprecation but about recognizing our place and letting God exalt us in His time. Together, these readings call us to live with humility and trust in God’s plan. Like Paul, we may face challenges or setbacks, but we can rejoice knowing that God works through all things for our good. And like the guests in the parable, we are invited to embrace humility, not for the sake of appearances, but as a way of life. Let us strive to live in such a way that Christ is magnified in us, whether in times of trial or in our everyday interactions. May we find joy in trusting God’s plan and in living with the humility that reflects the heart of Christ.