The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, November 4, 2006
Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Charles Borromeo, bishop

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Phil 1:18b-26
Psalm 42:2, 3, 5cdef
Luke 14:1, 7-11

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Do not recline at table at the place of honor . . . ."

What our Lord teaches today is probably not much a problem for most of us, but it is always a good reminder. When you go into a meeting or into any place where there will be a lot of people, don't take the place of honor. Don't sit up-front only to find that you are asked to give up your seat for another that others find more worthy.

In a certain sense this is a test of our humility, but the Lord has embedded here another message. If you are a married lay-person, do not covet the position of priest. If you are a person serving the poor, do not covet the martyrs who give their lives. Take the place the Lord has set for you.

What He does not say, but which should be understood, is that every place at this table is a place of incredible honor. To be allowed to sit at table rather than to gather the scraps given to the poor is a privilege.

So, whatever your place at table, accept it--it will be a very, very good place and it serves the people of God.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)