5 November, 2012
Monday of Week 31; St. Bertilla
FIRST READING
Philippians 2:1-4
Brothers and sisters:
If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of others.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 131:1bcde, 2, 3
R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty; I busy not myself with great things, nor with things too sublime for me.
R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap, so is my soul within me.
R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
O Israel, hope in the LORD, both now and forever.
R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
ALLELUIA
John 8:31b-32
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Luke 14:12-14
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. 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 sisters 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.”
REFLECTIONS:
Who do you honor at your table? The Lord is always
ready to receive us at his table. As far as we can tell from the gospel
accounts, Jesus never refused a dinner invitation! Why, in this particular
instance, does Jesus lecture his host on who he should or shouldn't invite
to dinner? Did his host expect some favor or reward from Jesus? Did he
want to impress his neighbors with the honor of hosting the "miracle worker"
from Galilee?
Jesus probes our hearts as well. Do you only show favor and generosity
to those who will repay you in kind? What about those who do not have the
means to repay you the poor, the sick, and the disadvantaged? Generosity
demands a measure of self-sacrifice. It doesn't impoverish, but rather
enriches the soul of the giver. True generosity springs from a heart full
of mercy and compassion. God loved us first, and our love is a response
of gratitude to his great mercy and kindness towards us. We cannot outgive
God in his generosity towards us. Do you give freely as Jesus gives without
expectation for personal gain or reward?
"Lord Jesus, fill me with gratitude for your unboundless love and mercy
towards me. And purify my love for others that I may seek their good rather
than my own benefit or gain. Free me to love others as you love."
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