HUMBLED TO BE HUMBLE - 10/29/22 (Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time)

Luke 14:8-9

“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.”  

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102922.cfm

Blessed Saturday! The Pharisees had a very high view of themselves as they elevated themselves over other people. This was the reason why Jesus mentioned this parable in order to teach the Pharisees about the importance of humility. In the gospel reading,  our Lord spoke of a person who was invited in a wedding banquet but was embarrassed when he chose the place of honor because it was for someone else. The embarrassment that is described in the parable points to the humiliation that a person may experience due to pride. For example, it will be embarrassing and humiliating for a person to think that he knows and boasts about his knowledge but realizes that he's actually mistaken. And yet, this also refers to our spiritual life and the danger of pride, specifically spiritual pride. If we think that we are already great, virtuous or holy, we may be surprised when we see ourselves falling to more sins. 

When we focus on the parable, Jesus shows us that the place of honor is reserved for a different person. And, what type of person is this? Our Lord is referring to those who are humble whom God chooses to exalt. And, this should give us hope. God allows us to be humiliated by our imperfections, weaknesses and sins so that we can be more humble and as a result, be exalted by God out of His love for us. We should not despair due to our sins, but we should trust in the mercy of God for us. Some of us may have doubted the teachings of the Catholic Church before, but God calls us to be more humble and have confidence that God guides His Church. When we see our faults and sins, it is a reminder for us to depend on God's strength through our prayers. Let's be honest with what our sins are and as we ponder on them, let's persevere in our prayer to reject these temptations. May we persevere particularly by praying the rosary. As we pray the rosary, let's have the intention of seeking God's graces, through the intercession of our Mother Mary, for us to be more pleasing to God, more humble and more on guard against our particular sins. God alone can satisfy the desires of our hearts and souls. This can fully take place in heaven and as we live here on earth, let's allow God's graces and mercy to purify our hearts from our sins. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/