Daily Readings - Sat Oct 30 2021
Romans
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.
Luke
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of humility, God’s plan of salvation, and the relationship between Israel and the Gentiles. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul emphasizes that God has not rejected his chosen people, Israel. He explains that while some of Israel has stumbled, this has allowed the Gentiles to be incorporated into God’s plan of salvation. Paul makes it clear that this is part of a larger mystery: Israel’s partial blindness is temporary, and in the end, all of Israel will be saved. This passage reminds us of God’s faithfulness and the unity of his plan for all people.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches a lesson in humility through a parable about seating at a banquet. He warns against seeking the highest places, as this can lead to embarrassment when someone more honored takes their rightful place. Instead, Jesus advises taking the lowest place, trusting that the host will elevate us if it is appropriate. This teaching is not just about social etiquette; it is a spiritual lesson about the importance of humility. Jesus makes it clear that exalting oneself leads to being humbled, while humbling oneself leads to being exalted.
These readings are connected by the theme of humility and trust in God’s plan. In Romans, Paul shows that Israel’s story is not one of rejection but of God’s broader plan to include all people. Similarly, in the Gospel, Jesus calls us to humility, recognizing that true greatness comes not from self-promotion but from surrendering to God’s will. In our daily lives, we are invited to embrace humility, trusting that God’s plan is at work even when we cannot fully understand it. Let us seek to live with humility, recognizing that our true dignity comes from God, not from our own efforts.