Trading the Better Place for Heaven

Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Philippians 1:18b-26

Brothers and sisters:
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,
for I know that this will result in deliverance for me
through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
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.
For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.
And I do not know which I shall choose.
I am caught between the two.
I long to depart this life and be with Christ,
for that is far better.
Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.
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,
so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me
when I come to you again.
 

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 42:2, 3, 5cdef

R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
I went with the throng
and led them in procession to the house of God.
Amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiving,
with the multitude keeping festival.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.

 

 

Alleluia Matthew 11:29ab

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart. 
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 14:1, 7-11

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

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

- - -

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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