Gospel Reflection

November 03, 2012

First Saturday of the Month – Year of Faith

by Rev.  Fr. Nilo Mangussad (Rector Our Lady of Peace Quasi-Parish)

Dawn Mass at Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of EDSA)

Reading 1 Phil 1:18b-26

Brothers and sisters: 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

R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
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.

Gospel Lk 14:1, 7-11

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 everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

HOMILY

Good morning my brothers and sisters.

The Lord reprimands the Pharisees for having the attitude of self-assurance, of self-importance, and asking for attention. Instead, Jesus asks them to be humble in heart. It is because when one is too pre-occupied with pride in his heart or self-importance, one's heart is far from the promptings of God. But when one is humble of heart, the Spirit of the Lord encourages that heart to be serving others, to be giving up and loving others, instead of showing importance to oneself. 

 

 In the same manner, we are being reminded by the Lord today that we have the Blessed Virgin Mary as our perfect example of humility and service to others. It is good to be reflective, my brothers and sisters. Whatever we do on earth, we should check our hearts. Are we sincere in giving service to others, or are we just trying to fuel our egos to show our importance to others?

 

 

Today we also celebrate the memorial of Saint Martin de Porres.

Saint Martin de Porres – Pray for us

  

 

You may also want to see: A Holy Life - Saint Martin de Porres