Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 6, 2018
First Reading: Philippians 2.5-11
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,10that 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.
Psalm 22
1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?2O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent.3Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel.4In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.5They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.6But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.7All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads:8"He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."9Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast.10From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God.11Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.12Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.13Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me.14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.15My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.16Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.17I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.18They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.19But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.20Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs.21Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen.22I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you.23You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!24For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.25From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.26The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the LORD will praise him- may your hearts live forever!27All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him,28for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.29All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him- those who cannot keep themselves alive.30Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord.31They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn- for he has done it.
Gospel: Luke 14.15-24
15When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."16Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.17At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'18"But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'19"Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'20"Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'21"The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.'22"'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.'23"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.24I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.'"
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of humility and responsiveness to God’s call. The first reading from Philippians 2:5-11 presents us with the profound example of Christ’s humility. Though equal to God, He emptied Himself, taking on the form of a servant, and humbled Himself unto death on the Cross. This passage reminds us that true greatness is found not in power or status, but in self-giving love and obedience. Christ’s humility is not just an example; it is a call to imitate Him in our own lives.
The Gospel from Luke 14:15-24 complements this message with the parable of the great feast. A man prepares a grand banquet and invites many guests, but they all make excuses for why they cannot attend. Their excuses—whether about possessions, work, or family—reflect a lack of priority for the invitation they have received. The master’s response is to invite the poor, the disabled, and the outcasts, filling his house with those who are often overlooked. This parable challenges us to examine our own response to God’s invitation. How often do we allow the distractions and comforts of the world to take precedence over our relationship with God? The parable reminds us that God’s invitation is not just for the privileged or the perfect, but for all, especially those who are marginalized.
These readings together call us to a life of humility and radical responsiveness to God’s will. Just as Christ emptied Himself and became a servant, we too are called to let go of our pride and self-interest. Similarly, just as the master in the parable compels the outcasts to come in, we are reminded that God’s invitation is universal and urgent. Let us ask ourselves: What excuses are we making for not fully embracing God’s call in our lives? Are we too focused on our own plans and possessions to hear His voice? Let us strive to imitate Christ’s humility and to respond generously to the invitation to follow Him, so that we may find true joy and fulfillment in His kingdom.