Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 4, 2023
First Reading: Romans 11.1-2a, 11-12, 25-29
1I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.2God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,11I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.12Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.28As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.29For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Psalm 94
1O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.2Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.3LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?4How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?5They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.6They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.7Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.8Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?9He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?10He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?11The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.12Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;13That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.14For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.15But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.16Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?17Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.18When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.19In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.20Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?21They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.22But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.23And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.
Gospel: Luke 14.1, 7-11
1And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.7And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,8When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;9And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.10But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.11For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound reflections on humility, God’s plan, and the unity of His people. The first reading from Romans reminds us that God’s love for Israel remains unwavering, even when they stumble. Paul explains that Israel’s partial blindness allows the Gentiles to share in salvation, but this is not the end of God’s plan for His chosen people. He assures us that one day, “all of Israel will be saved,” fulfilling God’s covenant promise. This passage invites us to trust in the mystery of God’s plan and to see ourselves as part of a larger story that includes both Jews and Gentiles.
The Gospel from Luke complements this message with a parable about humility. Jesus warns against seeking the highest places at a banquet, lest we be humbled publicly. Instead, He encourages us to take the lowest place, so that we might be exalted by the host. This teaching is not just about social etiquette but about the posture of our hearts. True humility involves recognizing our place before God and others, trusting that God will lift us up in His time. Just as Paul emphasizes God’s plan for Israel and the Gentiles, Jesus emphasizes the importance of living with humility and trust in God’s providence.
These readings call us to live with humility and trust in God’s plan. In our daily lives, we are often tempted to seek recognition or status, but Jesus reminds us that true greatness comes from serving others and living with humility. Similarly, Paul’s words encourage us to see ourselves as part of a larger community, united in God’s plan of salvation. Let us strive to live with humility, trusting that God will fulfill His promises in His own time. May we embrace our place in His story, knowing that His ways are higher than our own.