Reading 1
Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
My child, conduct your affairs with humility,
and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.
Humble yourself the more, the greater you are,
and you will find favor with God.
What is too sublime for you, seek not,
into things beyond your strength search not.
The mind of a sage appreciates proverbs,
and an attentive ear is the joy of the wise.
Water quenches a flaming fire,
and alms atone for sins.
Reading 2
Heb 12:18-19, 22-24a
Brothers and sisters:
You have not approached that which could be touched
and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness
and storm and a trumpet blast
and a voice speaking words such that those who heard
begged that no message be further addressed to them.
No, you have approached Mount Zion
and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
and countless angels in festal gathering,
and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven,
and God the judge of all,
and the spirits of the just made perfect,
and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,
and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.
Gospel
Lk 14:1, 7-14
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.
He told a parable to those who had been invited,
noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not recline at table in the place of honor.
A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,
‘Give your place to this man,’
and then you would proceed with embarrassment
to take the lowest place.
Rather, when you are invited,
go and take the lowest place
so that when the host comes to you he may say,
‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’
Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.
For every one who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Then he said to the host who invited him,
“When you hold a lunch or a dinner,
do not invite your friends or your brothers
or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors,
in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.
For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Meditation: Luke 14:1,7-14
“My friend, move up to a higher position.” (Luke 14:10)
Every day, all around the world, Jesus sets a banquet for his people and invites each of us to a “place of honor” (Luke 14:8). It’s the Eucharist, and Jesus is our host. Let this truth fill your imagination at Mass today. Try to picture yourself seated at table with “countless angels in festal gathering, and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven … and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant” (Hebrews 12:22-24). See what kind of effect this has on your experience of the liturgy!
Here is a story of what can happen at Mass. A young woman was in deep sorrow over circumstances in her life. She knew that she should try to fight the thoughts of hopelessness that raced through her mind, but she found it next to impossible. She barely made it through the liturgy, and as she rose to go to Communion, she began to pray in her heart: “Jesus, deliver me from the hand of the enemy. Jesus, deliver me from the hand of the enemy.”
When she returned to her pew, she knelt down, buried her face in her arms, and wept silently. Just then, she felt a sense of deep relief. Her challenges remained, but the despair was gone. Jesus had taken on her burden. She knew she could face her life with new hope because she was convinced that Jesus was with her.
This is the glory of our God: He invites all of us to his banquet table. Whether physically or spiritually, we are all poor, lame, or blind (Luke 14:13). No matter how tough our exterior, we all long for peace and healing. And guess what? Jesus wants to shower us with these very gifts every time we receive Communion. So go to him humbly saying, “Lord, I am not worthy; say the word and I will be healed.”
“Jesus, I approach your throne with hope, knowing that you wait for me in the celebration of the Mass. Come, Lord, and set me free so that I can know joy in your presence!”
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Questions for Individual Reflection or Group Discussion
(Sirach 3:17-18,20,28-29; Psalm 68:4-7,10-11; Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24; Luke 14:1,7-14)
1. In the first reading we are advised to “humble” ourselves and we will find favor with God. St. Augustine called humility the “royal road”. It was, he said, the way God came to us, and, therefore, the only way back to Him. What do you think that means for your life?
2. The Responsorial Psalm calls God the defender and provider of the lowly, the forsaken, orphans, widows, and the poor and needy. In fact, when Christ came on earth, he did not appear to the rich, the important, and powerful, but to those who were considered lowly and outcasts. To what extent have you tried to follow in Christ’s footsteps? Whose company do you tend to seek? Why? Do you need to make any changes?
3. The second reading says that unlike the Israelites, to whom God spoke in darkness and storms and fire, we can approach God directly in the Sacraments and in our prayer. In fact, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, and we can receive Christ in the Eucharist every time we go to Mass. What additional steps can you take to reinforce your appreciation of this fact, and prepare yourself, before attending Mass?
4. Today’s Gospel again gives us an important lesson in personal humility. Someone has said that humility does not consist in thinking less of ourselves, but in thinking of ourselves less often. What can you do to make the Lord more present in your day, and to make yourself less the center of your day?
5. The Gospel also brings us to the next step in holiness. When we think of ourselves less often, we are able to be of service to those of God’s people who need our attention. How can you open yourself more to serve those less fortunate? Discuss some possible ways you could work together with others to reach out to the poor and needy.
6. The meditation tells us that: “No matter how tough our exterior, we all long for peace and healing.” What are some areas in your life that need a deeper peace and healing? Offer these areas to the Lord for healing the next time you receive the Eucharist? If you are in a small group, share the fruit of doing this at your next meeting.
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