Trading the Better Place for Heaven

Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Philippians 1:1-11

Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus,
to all the holy ones in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi,
with the bishops and deacons:
grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you,
praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you,
because of your partnership for the Gospel
from the first day until now.
I am confident of this,
that the one who began a good work in you
will continue to complete it
until the day of Christ Jesus.
It is right that I should think this way about all of you,
because I hold you in my heart,
you who are all partners with me in grace,
both in my imprisonment
and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel.
For God is my witness,
how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer:
that your love may increase ever more and more
in knowledge and every kind of perception,
to discern what is of value,
so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness
that comes through Jesus Christ
for the glory and praise of God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Majesty and glory are his work,
and his justice endures forever.
He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;
gracious and merciful is the LORD.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has given food to those who fear him;
he will forever be mindful of his covenant.
He has made known to his people the power of his works,
giving them the inheritance of the nations.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
or:
R. Alleluia.

 

 

Alleluia John 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 14:1-6

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.
In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy.
Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking,
“Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?”
But they kept silent; so he took the man and,
after he had healed him, dismissed him.
Then he said to them   
“Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern,
would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?”  
But they were unable to answer his question.

- - -

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Trading the Better Place for Heaven

October 31, 2026 // Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-11

Reflect on the Word // 

Our kitchen table is a beautiful one-hundred-fifty-year-old antique. It was the find of the century and the inspiration for our kitchen remodel. When our family of five sits down, though, it forces one of us to sit off-set from everyone else. For the longest time, I sat in this “sad” solo seat, mildly annoyed. Then one day, my husband started sitting there because he thought I should have a better spot. I was touched by his thoughtfulness but chagrined at my attitude, realizing what an opportunity that little spot had been for humility and just how much I had squandered it.

Eventually, I reclaimed that solo spot again as an attempt at greater humility. It’s been a journey, this learning to take the “lower” place (see Luke 14:10). While I need to be specific about some things for my health in order to carry out my God-given mission, I’ve realized that for most things, I don’t actually need my preferred way. It’s far better for my heart and soul—and my slow growth in the virtue of humility—when I surrender my preference for the sake of love. That chipped glass or bent spoon? I can choose it for myself instead of leaving it for someone else and reaching for a “better” one. The wobbly chair? It’s the perfect companion for my solo spot at the table. My favorite spot on the couch? Rather than feel affronted when someone else claims it, I can relinquish it and stockpile my back-support pillows elsewhere.

It’s human nature to want the best. We have real inherent dignity and desire that others recognize that dignity—especially in this fallen world where it’s constantly under attack. Still, it's a short leap from owning our dignity, imperfect as we are, to believing we deserve better than others who are equal in dignity. Our Lord, the only perfect Man and One deserving of all the honor, contented Himself with a dusty stable, exile, poverty in ministry, and the Cross. How much more content can we be then, knowing that every time we choose humility, a greater reward in Heaven awaits (see Luke 14:11)? 

Relate to the Lord // Pray with this line from the Litany of Humility, “From the desire of being honored, deliver me, O Jesus.”

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