Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 3, 2020
First Reading: Philippians 2.5-11
5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Psalm 22
1My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?2O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.3But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.4Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.5They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.6But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.7All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,8He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.9But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.10I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.11Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.12Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.13They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.15My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.16For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.17I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.18They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.19But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.20Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.21Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.22I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.23Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.24For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.25My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.26The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.27All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.28For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.29All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.30A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.31They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
Gospel: Luke 14.15-24
15And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.16Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:17And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.18And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.19And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.20And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.21So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.22And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.23And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.24For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of humility, obedience, and the universal call to God’s banquet. The second reading from Philippians presents us with a profound hymn about Christ’s self-emptying love. Jesus, who is equal to God, chose to humble himself, taking on the form of a servant and accepting death on the Cross. This act of humility led to his exaltation, and now every knee bends at the name of Jesus. The reading reminds us that true greatness is found in self-giving love and surrender to God’s will.
In the Gospel, Luke shares the parable of the great feast, where those initially invited make excuses and refuse to come. The master, though angered by their ingratitude, extends the invitation to the poor, the disabled, and even those on the highways and hedges. This parable underscores God’s desire to include all people in his kingdom, especially those often overlooked or marginalized. It also warns us against allowing worldly distractions or comforts to take precedence over our spiritual lives.
Together, these readings challenge us to examine our own humility and willingness to respond to God’s invitation. Like Christ, we are called to empty ourselves of pride and selfishness, embracing a life of service and obedience. At the same time, we must not take God’s grace for granted or allow excuses to keep us from participating in the spiritual feast he has prepared for us. Let us strive to live with humility and gratitude, recognizing that God’s invitation is open to all, and let us not miss the opportunity to share in his glory.