Daily Readings - Tue Nov 05 2024
Philippians
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.
Luke
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 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.