FIRST
READING: Philippians
1: 18 - 26
18
What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth,
Christ is proclaimed; and in that I rejoice.
19
Yes, and I shall rejoice. For I know that through your prayers and
the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my
deliverance,
20
as it is my eager expectation and hope that I shall not be at all
ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be
honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
21
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22
If it is to be life in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.
Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.
23
I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with
Christ, for that is far better.
24
But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
25
Convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you
all, for your progress and joy in the faith,
26
so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus,
because of my coming to you again.
PSALM:
Psalms 42:
2 - 3, 5
2
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and
behold the face of God?
3
My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me
continually, "Where is your God?"
5
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within
me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help.
GOSPEL:
Luke 14:
1, 7 - 11
1
One sabbath when he went to dine at the house of a ruler who belonged
to the Pharisees, they were watching him.
7
Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he marked how
they chose the places of honor, saying to them,
8
"When you are invited by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit
down in a place of honor, lest a more eminent man than you be invited
by him;
9
and he who invited you both will come and say to you, `Give place to
this man,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest
place.
10
But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that
when your host comes he may say to you, `Friend, go up higher'; then
you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.
11
For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles
himself will be exalted."
