For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted

The Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C

Collect

God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that, by deepening our sense of reverence, you may nurture in us what is good and, by your watchful care, keep safe what you have nurtured. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading
Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29

Humble yourself and you will find favor with God.

A reading from the Book of Sirach

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.

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps. 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11

R. :

℟. (cf 11b) God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

The just rejoice and exult before God;
   they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
   whose name is the LORD.

℟. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

The father of orphans and the defender of widows
   is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
   he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.

℟. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance;
   you restored the land when it languished;
your flock settled in it;
   in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy.

℟. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

Second Reading
Heb 12:18-19, 22-24a

You have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God.

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

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.

The word of the Lord.

Acclamation before the Gospel
Mt 11:29ab

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord,
and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel
Lk 14:1, 7-14

Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

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.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection

Today’s Gospel takes on from that of last Sunday: entering through the narrow door.

In Jesus’ time, dining was a significant means of socialising. One person would invite, and another is invited; the place assigned at the table and the person whom you have been seated next to all demonstrated the social status of the person invited. If this was how things were in a social setting—and perhaps still are today—this is not how the Lord views it.

Everyone is invited to participate at the Eucharistic table. God invites all, because He is the Father of everyone and gives His grace to all people. While God desires that all be saved, He has given us free will. Ultimately, everything depends on our personal choices.

Let’s be realistic, we all have our good points, but it would do us well to accept that we are sinners. We find that some people humbly accept themselves as they are, return to God and begin a new life. While others, through pride, believe that they are better than everyone else and, consequently, separate themselves from God.

How unfortunate it is when we judge others and presume to know who should enter the Kingdom of God, as well as who is worthy to approach the Eucharistic table.

Stop and Reflect:

-There is no humility without sincerity.

- Consider the ugliness and the burden that comes with self-importance, especially when we pretend to be better than everyone else.

-Remember, what is most needed is to be uplifted by God and not by people.

Prayer

Lord, remind me that you are rich in mercy and that you love everyone without distinction. Help me to overcome my desire to judge others, and my tendency to see myself as better than others. Lord, give me a pure heart that sees the good in others. Lord, do not allow my lack of humility to separate me from You and from my brothers and sisters. Thank you, Lord God, and forgive me, Lord God. Amen.

 

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