Daily Readings - Sat Nov 04 2017

First Reading - Romans 11.1-2a, 11-12, 25-29

¹Therefore, I say: Has God driven away his people? Let it not be so! For I, too, am an Israelite of the offspring of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin²God has not driven away his people, whom he foreknew. And do you not know what Scripture says in Elijah, how he calls upon God against Israel¹¹Therefore, I say: Have they stumbled in such a way that they should fall? Let it not be so! Instead, by their offense, salvation is with the Gentiles, so that they may be a rival to them¹²Now if their offense is the riches of the world, and if their diminution is the riches of the Gentiles, how much more is their fullness²⁵For I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery (lest you seem wise only to yourselves) that a certain blindness has occurred in Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has arrived²⁶And in this way, all of Israel may be saved, just as it was written: "From Zion shall arrive he who delivers, and he shall turn impiety away from Jacob²⁷And this will be my covenant for them, when I will take away their sins.²⁸Certainly, according to the Gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But according to the election, they are most beloved for the sake of the fathers²⁹For the gifts and the call of God are without regret

Gospel - Luke 14.1, 7-11

Luke

Chapter 14

¹And it happened that, when Jesus entered the house of a certain leader of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread, they were observing him⁷Then he also told a parable, to those who were invited, noticing how they chose the first seats at the table, saying to them⁸"When you are invited to a wedding, do not sit down in the first place, lest perhaps someone more honored than yourself may have been invited by him⁹And then he who called both you and him, approaching, may say to you, ‘Give this place to him.’ And then you would begin, with shame, to take the last place¹⁰But when you are invited, go, sit down in the lowest place, so that, when he who invited you arrives, he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the sight of those who sit at table together with you¹¹For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we are presented with profound lessons on humility and God’s inclusive plan. The first reading from Romans 11 reminds us that God’s gifts are irrevocable, emphasizing that Israel’s current state is not final. Paul highlights a mystery where a partial blindness has befallen Israel, allowing the Gentiles to be incorporated into God’s plan, ultimately leading to the salvation of all Israel. This passage underscores God’s faithfulness and the unity of His people across different groups. The Gospel from Luke 14 offers a parable on humility, where Jesus advises against seeking the highest seat at a banquet. Instead, He encourages taking the lowest place, trusting that the host may exalt us. This teaching critiques social hierarchies and the pride that often accompanies them, urging us to embrace humility and trust in God’s timing and exaltation. Both readings connect through themes of humility and trust in God’s plan. Paul’s message of inclusion mirrors Jesus’s parable, reminding us that true greatness comes from humility. In our daily lives, this means embracing modesty in our interactions and trusting in God’s larger plan. The moral lesson here is clear: humility leads to exaltation, and God’s plan is one of unity and inclusion for all people. Let us strive to live with this humility, trusting in God’s wisdom and timing.