Reading 1 PHIL 1:18B-26
As long as in every way, whether in pretense or in truth,
Christ is being proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Indeed I shall continue to rejoice,
for I know that this will result in deliverance for me
through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
My eager expectation and hope
is that I shall not be put to shame in any way,
but that with all boldness, now as always,
Christ will be magnified in my body,
whether by life or by death.
For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.
And I do not know which I shall choose.
I am caught between the two.
I long to depart this life and be with Christ,
for that is far better.
Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.
And this I know with confidence,
that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you
for your progress and joy in the faith,
so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me
when I come to you again.
Responsorial Psalm PS 42:2, 3, 5CDEF
As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
I went with the throng
and led them in procession to the house of God.
Amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiving,
with the multitude keeping festival.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
Alleluia MT 11:29AB
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LK 14:1, 7-11
On a sabbath Jesus went to dineat 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 everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
"ALL THAT MATTERS"
"He went on to address a parable to the guests, noticing how they were trying to get the places of honor at the table." –Luke 14:7
One Bread, One Body - Reflection for October 29, 2016
Throughout history, some Christians have promoted Jesus with the wrong motives. For example, some proclaimed the Gospel to make Paul's "imprisonment even harsher" (Phil 1:17). Some thought that by enthusiastically proclaiming Jesus they would provoke the Romans to torture or kill Paul who was in prison on death row. This is possibly one of the most perverse motives for spreading the Gospel ever acted upon. However, Paul's reaction to this was: "What of it? All that matters is that in any and every way, whether from specious motives or genuine ones, Christ is being proclaimed! That is what brings me joy" (Phil 1:18).
Paul does not intend to encourage evil motives but rather to declare that these are overshadowed by the proclamation of the Gospel. Today many continue to preach Jesus for the evil motives of greed, pride, and ambition. This is lamentable, but still the Good News is always more important than the bad news. Although the secular media report in great prominence and detail all the sins of Christian leaders, the most important part of the story has again been omitted. "All that matters is that...Christ is being proclaimed" (Phil 1:18). "God must be proved true even though every man be proved a liar" (Rm 3:4). The Lord will be glorified through us or despite us. "Blessed be the name of the Lord" (Jb 1:21).
| PRAYER: | Jesus, no matter what happens to me, be glorified. |
| PROMISE: | "For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled and he who humbles himself shall be exalted." –Lk 14:11 |
| PRAISE: | Peter uses Scripture quotes even among his non-Christian friends and it has effect. |
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