(Optional Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
On Saturdays in Ordinary Time when there is no obligatory memorial, an optional memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary is allowed. [1] Mass texts may be taken from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, from a Votive Mass, or from the special collection of Masses for the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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| “Madonna of Humility” by Domenico Di Bartolo, 1433 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Romans 11:1-2a, 11-12, 25-29
Commentary on Rom 11:1-2a, 11-12, 25-29
St. Paul asks his Jewish audience if God has rejected them. The answer “Of course not!” identifies the Evangelist as an Israelite and begins his ironic description of how God used the rejection of the Messiah as a reason to invite the Gentiles to participate in his salvation. He goes on, in the passages omitted, to indicate that the Israel remains holy in the eyes of God but the majority that has rejected the Lord paved the way for God’s plan to invite the world into that favored status.
The text he quotes is Isaiah 59:20-21 joined with Isaiah 27:9 providing a positive offering to the Jews whom he had previously condemned (v.8ff) for rejecting the Lord. The concluding verse makes it clear that even though the Jewish people who rejected the Gospel of Christ are “enemies on your account”. There election as the chosen people is irrevocable – the offer of salvation is not withdrawn.
CCC: Rom 11:12 674; Rom 11:13-26 755; Rom 11:25 591, 674; Rom 11:26 674; Rom 11:28 60; Rom 11:29 839
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 94:12-13a, 14-15, 17-18
R. (14a) The Lord will not abandon his people.
Commentary on Ps 94:12-13a, 14-15, 17-18
Psalm 94 is an individual lament. The strophes used today reflect the faith and confidence in God who will continue to support (linking to St. Paul above) them in the face of their enemies.
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Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-11
Commentary on Lk 14:1, 7-11
This parable, found only in the Gospel of St. Luke, gives us Jesus teaching the need for humility. The Lord’s indirect criticism of those who seek the attention of the rich and ignore the poor sets the stage for the next passage and the parable of the great banquet. Jesus is giving some wisdom of his own. He first speaks of the charism of humility using the example of a feast (just like the one to which he was invited) saying that one should assume the lowly station and be invited up, rather than assuming the higher station and being dismissed.
CCC: Lk 14:1 575, 588
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Reflection:
The Gospel parable from St. Luke requires that we examine humility; our own virtue with regards to pride and our desire to assimilate into the secular culture. True humility can only come if a person has faith in God! It will flow from the knowledge that God is omniscient, and always present in his triune nature, creator of all that is. How can personal pride stand when we know that, not only did God create us; give us life in the flesh, but also gave up his only Son so that we could enjoy eternal life? Can a person who recognizes that they owe everything that they have and are to God be prideful, self-indulged, or self-adsorbed?
Going even further, once we understanding that the Savior of mankind walks with us daily; that through the Holy Spirit he is with us constantly, how can we take pride in what we do? If that activity serves God’s purpose, is it not God who should be parised? It is his strength and wisdom poured out for us that allows us to do what we do. And even further still, if we also know that God not only created and gave us life, but also created and gave life to all living creatures, how could we disrespect the dignity of another person or casually destroy God’s creation?
True and virtuous humility comes from faith in God. That same faith demands that we also respect ourselves; the very personal gift God gave us. How can we think that we are anything but beautiful in the eyes of God? We are his favorite creation and he loves us more than anyone can imagine. Who are we to think poorly of ourselves? In humility we must prize what we are, as God created us.
As the Lord tells the Pharisees in the Gospel, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” In all humility we must respect others, not because they demand respect, but because they too are loved by God. It is the great paradox of faith that in humility we are glorified. Today we pray that our faith in the Father, His Only Son, and the Holy Spirit, inspire us with awe and wonder imparting to us true humility and grace.
Pax
[1] General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar Miscellaneous Notes no. 5
[3] The picture is “Madonna of Humility” by Domenico Di Bartolo, 1433
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