Daily Readings - Tue Nov 05 2024
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 encounter profound reflections on humility and God’s grace. The passage from Philippians presents a hymn that highlights Christ’s self-emptying and obedience, leading to His exaltation. This serves as a model for believers to embrace humility and service. In the Gospel, Luke shares a parable where a master’s invitation to a feast is rejected by the comfortable, only to be accepted by the marginalized. This parable critiques complacency and emphasizes God’s preference for the humble.
Both readings underscore the importance of humility and openness to God’s invitation. Christ’s humility in Philippians leads to His glorification, while in Luke, the humble and marginalized are those who truly respond to God’s call. This duality reminds us that true faith requires humility and a willingness to prioritize God’s invitation above worldly concerns.
In our daily lives, this teaches us to avoid complacency and self-reliance. We are called to examine our priorities, ensuring we do not let earthly distractions hinder our response to God. The moral lesson is clear: humility and openness to God’s invitation are essential. Let us reflect on our own response to God’s call, striving to embrace humility and follow Christ wholeheartedly.