Readings for Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sirach, the author of this book provides us with some of the “Wisdom Sayings”. Those provided in this selection found their perfect expression in Jesus of Nazareth who was perfect in humility, as God, he understands all things, and His sacrifice atoned for the sins of all mankind.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
Psalm 68 gives thanks to God for his saving works. In its historical context, the reference to the homeless and prisoners refers to the Diaspora; we see it having a broader connotation. The psalmist sings of God’s special attention to the poor to whom the Lord has provided a home and sustenance.
Reading II Heb 12:18-19, 22-24a
“This remarkably beautiful passage contrasts two great assemblies of people: (and Covenants) that of the Israelites gathered at Mount Sinai for the sealing of the old covenant and the promulgation of the Mosaic law, and that of the followers of Jesus gathered at Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, the assembly of the new covenant. This latter scene, marked by the presence of countless angels and of Jesus with his redeeming blood, is reminiscent of the celestial liturgies of the Book of Revelation.” (NAB Footnote)
Gospel Lk 14:1, 7-14
In this passage from Luke’s Gospel we hear Jesus 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.
He then turns his attention to the gathering itself, telling the Pharisee who had invited him that his efforts should not be to the rich who might repay him in kind, but for the poor, the cripple and the lame who needed his service. In this way God’s purpose would be satisfied.
Reflection:
Msgr. Bob Lundsford once said “Never pray for humility because God will surely find a way to humiliate you.” We suspect he is right. Pride is one of those problems that can sneak up on us. We can be going along, humble and focused on the things of God, then suddenly we encounter success in our endeavors and suddenly, it is all about us and how good we are.
God knows and has said, first through his prophets and then his Son, that for us to be truly happy we must focus our efforts not on our selves but on his greater glory. Let’s examine the truth of that through a couple of hypothetical situations.
Let us say that we have come into a windfall of money and we decide to get a rather extravagant gift for one of our wealthy friends. Our motive here is two fold. First, because we fully expect to receive a gift in return (perhaps not now but eventually – our rich friend, after all, will not forget us) and second to impress that friend with our generosity and perhaps good taste. What does that say about us? We may be generous, but to what end? Who is elevated in stature because of this act? We gave that gift, first of all, out of our excess and second because we wanted to look good – gain prestige. This was the very situation Jesus addressed when the instructed the Pharisee who invited him to dinner (probably to impress his wealthy friends).
Now let’s look at this situation as approached by a spiritual person. The gift would not necessarily be from a windfall or excess, it might be given because a true need was seen. It would not be to a rich friend who did not need another bauble or toy, it would be to someone in need. It would ideally be given anonymously, that way the one truly responsible for giving the gift, God, would get the thanks and praise, not God’s servant who was only doing his bidding.
And what about the servant (us), whose thanks would we receive? Why the Lord, whose adopted children we are, will say to us at a time we do not know; “Well done, good and faithful servant.” The instruction we receive today tells us where we should focus our thoughts and efforts and they do not say anything about exalting ourselves. We pray for nothing less today than that which Monsignor told us not to, humility.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is Alms to the Poor by Martin Drolling, c. 1800
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sirach, the author of this book provides us with some of the “Wisdom Sayings”. Those provided in this selection found their perfect expression in Jesus of Nazareth who was perfect in humility, as God, he understands all things, and His sacrifice atoned for the sins of all mankind.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
Psalm 68 gives thanks to God for his saving works. In its historical context, the reference to the homeless and prisoners refers to the Diaspora; we see it having a broader connotation. The psalmist sings of God’s special attention to the poor to whom the Lord has provided a home and sustenance.
Reading II Heb 12:18-19, 22-24a
“This remarkably beautiful passage contrasts two great assemblies of people: (and Covenants) that of the Israelites gathered at Mount Sinai for the sealing of the old covenant and the promulgation of the Mosaic law, and that of the followers of Jesus gathered at Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, the assembly of the new covenant. This latter scene, marked by the presence of countless angels and of Jesus with his redeeming blood, is reminiscent of the celestial liturgies of the Book of Revelation.” (NAB Footnote)
Gospel Lk 14:1, 7-14
In this passage from Luke’s Gospel we hear Jesus 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.
He then turns his attention to the gathering itself, telling the Pharisee who had invited him that his efforts should not be to the rich who might repay him in kind, but for the poor, the cripple and the lame who needed his service. In this way God’s purpose would be satisfied.
Reflection:
Msgr. Bob Lundsford once said “Never pray for humility because God will surely find a way to humiliate you.” We suspect he is right. Pride is one of those problems that can sneak up on us. We can be going along, humble and focused on the things of God, then suddenly we encounter success in our endeavors and suddenly, it is all about us and how good we are.
God knows and has said, first through his prophets and then his Son, that for us to be truly happy we must focus our efforts not on our selves but on his greater glory. Let’s examine the truth of that through a couple of hypothetical situations.
Let us say that we have come into a windfall of money and we decide to get a rather extravagant gift for one of our wealthy friends. Our motive here is two fold. First, because we fully expect to receive a gift in return (perhaps not now but eventually – our rich friend, after all, will not forget us) and second to impress that friend with our generosity and perhaps good taste. What does that say about us? We may be generous, but to what end? Who is elevated in stature because of this act? We gave that gift, first of all, out of our excess and second because we wanted to look good – gain prestige. This was the very situation Jesus addressed when the instructed the Pharisee who invited him to dinner (probably to impress his wealthy friends).
Now let’s look at this situation as approached by a spiritual person. The gift would not necessarily be from a windfall or excess, it might be given because a true need was seen. It would not be to a rich friend who did not need another bauble or toy, it would be to someone in need. It would ideally be given anonymously, that way the one truly responsible for giving the gift, God, would get the thanks and praise, not God’s servant who was only doing his bidding.
And what about the servant (us), whose thanks would we receive? Why the Lord, whose adopted children we are, will say to us at a time we do not know; “Well done, good and faithful servant.” The instruction we receive today tells us where we should focus our thoughts and efforts and they do not say anything about exalting ourselves. We pray for nothing less today than that which Monsignor told us not to, humility.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is Alms to the Poor by Martin Drolling, c. 1800
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