Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled

October 31, 2015

Saturday of the Thirtieth week in Ordinary Time 

Saint of the day : Saint Quintin, Martyr (3rd Century)

Readings

    

Letter to the Romans 11:1-2a, 11-12, 25-29

1I ask, then, has God rejected His people? Of course not! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.[1] 2God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?

11Hence I ask, did they stumble so as to fall? Of course not! But through their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make them jealous.[2] 

12Now if their transgression is enrichment for the world, and if their diminished number is enrichment for the Gentiles, how much more their full number.

25I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not become wise (in) your own estimation: a hardening has come upon Israel in part, until the full number of the Gentiles comes in,[3] 26and thus all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come out of Zion, He will turn away godlessness from Jacob; 27and this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins."

28In respect to the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but in respect to election, they are beloved because of the patriarchs. 29For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.

Psalms 94:12-13a, 14-15, 17-18 

12Blessed the one whom you guide, LORD, whom you teach by your instruction, 13 To give rest from evil days 14For the LORD will not forsake His people, nor abandon His inheritance.

15Judgment shall again be just, and all the upright of heart will follow it.

17If the LORD were not my help, I would long have been silent in the grave. 18When I say, “My foot is slipping,”  your mercy, LORD, holds me up.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 14:1, 7-11  

1On a sabbath He went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing Him carefully.[4]

7He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.[5] 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, 9and 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.

10Rather, 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. 11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." 

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Notes on Readings:

[1] Romans 11:1-10 - Although Israel has been unfaithful to the prophetic message of the gospel (Romans 10:14-21), God remains faithful to Israel. Proof of the divine fidelity lies in the existence of Jewish Christians like Paul himself. The unbelieving Jews, says Paul, have been blinded by the Christian teaching concerning the Messiah.

[2] Romans11:11-15 -The unbelief of the Jews has paved the way for the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles and for their easier acceptance of it outside the context of Jewish culture. Through his mission to the Gentiles Paul also hopes to fill his fellow Jews with jealousy. Hence he hastens to fill the entire Mediterranean world with the gospel. Once all the Gentile nations have heard the gospel, Israel as a whole is expected to embrace it. This will be tantamount to resurrection of the dead, that is, the reappearance of Jesus Christ with all the believers at the end of time.

[3] Romans 11:25-29 - In God's design, Israel's unbelief is being used to grant the light of faith to the Gentiles. Meanwhile, Israel remains dear to God (compare with Romans 9:13), still the object of special providence, the mystery of which will one day be revealed.

[4] Luke 14:1-6 See the footnote on Luke 13:10-17.

[5] Luke 14:7-14 - The banquet scene found only in Luke provides the opportunity for these teachings of Jesus on humility and presents a setting to display Luke's interest in Jesus' attitude toward the rich and the poor (see the footnotes on Luke 4:18 ; 6:20-26; 12:13-34.