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.’
Luke 14

Thirtieth Week of Ordinary Time

On the Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time we have Jesus' dramatic story of the Pharisee and the tax collector standing in the temple, the Pharisee relieved that “I am not like the rest of humanity” and the tax collector with eyes down, begging for mercy. “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Monday is the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles. Friday is the great Solemnity of All Saints, followed on Saturday by the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls).

The first reading all week continues with the third week of Paul’s longest letter, the Letter to the Romans, with his teaching of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Gospel of Luke offers a glimpse of Jesus healing and teaching the people, even as he continues to clash with religious leaders. He cures the “bent woman” on a Sabbath and tells of the tiny mustard seed which develops to become a full grown bush. He repeats that it will not be easy to enter the Kingdom: “For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” He defies those who bring word of threats on his life and defies the silent Pharisees who watch as he cures a man on the Sabbath. Jesus encourages us to be humble: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

On the Thirty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time we have Luke's marvelous account of Jesus' encounter with the wealthy tax collector, Zacchaeus from Luke's Gospel. Watching from a tree, he is invited by Jesus: “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.”

Daily Prayer This Week

Please, Lord, anything but humility! Our instinctive reaction to humility might be the result of a culture that exalts riches, honors and pride. Yet all this week Jesus teaches that the way to salvation is through humility.

The first step might be simply asking for the desire to be humble. As we move through the simplest of moments in our everyday lives, we can stop and ask God to help us want to be humble. As we sit on the edge of the bed in the morning, as we head to work, sort laundry or do our errands, we can keep a running prayer in the background of our consciousness: “Lord, help me to desire the humility that will make me more aware of your saving grace.”

These same background moments offer ways for us to recognize opportunities to practice humility as we go through our days. Perhaps I can stop myself from correcting my spouse. In a disagreement, I might make an extra effort to listen to the other person’s side rather than planning my rebuttal as they speak. I can let a person in line in front of me, hold the door for someone or make an extra effort to recognize and thank those who serve me. Even these tiny gestures, when done in the spirit of Jesus’ teachings this week, offer us a special grace.

All week we can continue to speak to the Lord as we would to a loving friend who listens to us. And always, we can end our day in gratitude, for the merciful God who loves us so compassionately and longs to be in our hearts.