Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 3, 2018
First Reading: Philippians 1.18b-26
18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.19Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,26so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
Psalm 42
1As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.2My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?3My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"4These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.5Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and6my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon-from Mount Mizar.7Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.8By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me- a prayer to the God of my life.9I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?"10My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?"11Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Gospel: Luke 14.1, 7-11
1One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.7When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable:8"When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.9If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.10But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests.11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful lessons about humility and trust in God’s plan. The first reading from Philippians finds Paul in prison, yet he is filled with joy because he knows that, despite the challenges he faces, the Gospel is being proclaimed. Paul’s confidence comes not from his own strength but from his trust in God’s plan. He writes, “For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” showing that his ultimate hope is in union with Christ, whether through life or death. This passage reminds us that our true strength lies not in our circumstances but in our faith and surrender to God’s will.
The Gospel from Luke offers a parable about humility. Jesus notices how guests at a banquet rush to take the places of honor, and he warns against seeking to exalt oneself. Instead, he teaches that true greatness comes from humility. When we humbly take the lowest place, God will exalt us in His time. This parable challenges us to examine our attitudes in our interactions with others. Do we seek recognition and praise, or do we serve others with humility? Jesus makes it clear that “everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”
Both readings call us to live with humility and trust in God’s plan. Like Paul, we are to find joy in serving Christ, even in difficult circumstances, knowing that our ultimate reward is union with Him. And like the guests in the parable, we are to approach life with humility, recognizing that true greatness comes not from self-promotion but from surrendering to God’s will. Let us strive to live in such a way that Christ is magnified in us, whether through life’s triumphs or trials.