Daily Readings - Sun Aug 28 2022
Hebrews
18For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest19and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.22But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,23and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,24and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
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."12He said also to the man who had invited him, "When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid.13But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,14and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at 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.