Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Peter H. Davids

Ordinary Time • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

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Both Jesus and Paul indicate that if our thoughts are only to seek Christ's good, our attitudes those of thankfulness for what God has done with us in his grace, and our choices to seek the good of others for the sake of Jesus, then nothing can separate our minds from Jesus and even death itself will be joyous, for it brings us into his presence.

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Choose the Humble Place

Outline

Your attitude determines your altitude

Your thoughts determine your sanctity

Your choices determine your outcomes

All of these are true, even though only one is from a saint.

But what your thoughts, your choices, your attitude should be are determined by Jesus and expressed by Paul

Jesus tells us to choose the humble place

Your thoughts, then, should be, there must be others more honorable than I. Your attitude is thankfulness that you have an invitation, that you have a place at the table - you are thankful to God for it is all grace.

That was what I thought as a biblical scholar at whatever function: “I am thankful that God called me to be a biblical scholar and enabled every step of my career; there are other scholars here more honorable and gifted than I. Thank you, Lord, that I get to sit here and listen or participate.

But Jesus is talking about more than one aspect of life. He is talking about seats in the Kingdom of God. This is part of Luke’s great banquet theme.

Paul goes to the nub of the attitude/thoughts/choices question

He chooses to rejoice over evangelistic proclamation even if those making the proclamation were doing it in an attempt to make Paul envious at worst or jealous at best. How can he do this?

First, Paul’s concern was that “Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.” If Christ was being magnified in the proclamation, good. If Christ was being magnified in Paul’s sitting in jail or even his execution, also good. He did not need the limelight.

Second, that is because, “For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.” Paul’s life was not about Paul - it was about the will and honor of Jesus. “If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.” Paul’s death was not about Paul either - he could not be shamed by it - and that is because for him it meant that it pleased and honored Jesus that he die and be in the presence of Jesus. “I long to depart this life and be with Christ.”

Paul believes that he has a choice, and he makes it for life, not for his benefit, but because “that I remain [in] the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.” It was out of love for them, for their benefit, without concern for himself. Paul has the mind of Christ.

You may well say, “Well, Fr. Peter, we knew that

I do indeed hope that you know that. I hope that I knew that before reading these passages for this homily.

The issue is to watch our thoughts and our attitudes and therefore our choices. Watch, examine, and speak back or correct those that are not good and true.

Let me use my example: when I walk into a conference room knowing that I am not a parish priest but officially retired do I try to sit where the bishop will notice me or do I think “I have more knowledge than the speaker.”? Or do I say, “You are so good, Lord, in giving me a seat in this room, in letting me hear what I am hearing.”? I do not need a nice parish, for I know I can glorify you equally in a parish, as a retired priest-chaplain, or in a retirement home (assuming I can ever afford one) - I glorify you by being content where you choose . And I speak back to the thoughts that suggest that this or that position in scholarship or a diocese or whatever would be better.

Now I do not know where your metaphorical “banquets” are or what might move you to envy or jealousy, but I do know that the principle is the same: watch your thoughts and attitudes, speaking God’s truth back to those that are not good and true. Choose identity with Christ, with his suffering, and with his loving actions. Then no one can humiliate you and no misfortune can shame you, for you know that even death itself will only serve to bring you closer to Christ.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 10-29-2022: Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING

Philippians 1:18b–26

18 What difference does it make, 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, 19 for I know that this will result in deliverance for me through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 20 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. 21 For to me life is Christ, and death is gain. 22 If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. 23 I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, [for] that is far better. 24 Yet that I remain [in] the flesh is more necessary for your benefit. 25 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, 26 so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me when I come to you again.

Catholic Daily Readings 10-29-2022: Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

RESPONSE

Text

PSALM

Psalm 42:2–3, 5c–f

2 As the deer longs for streams of water,

so my soul longs for you, O God.

3 My soul thirsts for God, the living God.

When can I enter and see the face of God?

5 Those times I recall

as I pour out my soul,

When I would cross over to the shrine of the Mighty One,

to the house of God,

Amid loud cries of thanksgiving,

with the multitude keeping festival.

Catholic Daily Readings 10-29-2022: Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Matthew 11:29ab

29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.

GOSPEL

Luke 14:1, 7–11

1 On a sabbath he went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.

7 He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. 8 “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, 9 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. 10 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. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 10-29-2022: Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2022 | ORDINARY TIME

SATURDAY OF THE THIRTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

YEAR 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Philippians 1:18b–26

Response Text

Psalm Psalm 42:2–3, 5c–f

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 11:29ab

Gospel Luke 14:1, 7–11

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