The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us that humility is a Way to come to know more deeply the lives and longing of our siblings in humanity as we are honoured to share their company.
In the Reading from the Letter of Paul he pledges to continue in the service of the Philippians and of others.
* [1:18] Rejoice: a major theme in the letter; see Introduction.
* [1:19–25] Paul earnestly debates his prospects of martyrdom or continued missionary labor. While he may long to depart this life and thus be with Christ (Phil 1:23), his overall and final expectation is that he will be delivered from this imprisonment and continue in the service of the Philippians and of others (Phil 1:19, 25; Phil 2:24). In either case, Christ is central (Phil 1:20–21); if to live means Christ for Paul, death means to be united with Christ in a deeper sense.
* [1:19] Result in deliverance for me: an echo of Jb 13:16, hoping that God will turn suffering to ultimate good and deliverance from evil. (Philippians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 42 expresses longing for the divine presence that Israel experienced in the Temple liturgy.
* [Psalms 42–43] Ps 42–43 form a single lament of three sections, each section ending in an identical refrain (Ps 42:6, 12; 43:5). The psalmist is far from Jerusalem, and longs for the divine presence that Israel experienced in the Temple liturgy. Despite sadness, the psalmist hopes once again to join the worshiping crowds. (Psalms, PSALM 42 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus exhorts humility in the Conduct of Invited Guests and Hosts.
* [14:7–14] The banquet scene found only in Luke provides the opportunity for these teachings of Jesus on humility and presents a setting to display Luke’s interest in Jesus’ attitude toward the rich and the poor (see notes on Lk 4:18; 6:20–26; 12:13–34). (Luke, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)
Don Schwager “Jesus calls us to be humble, modest, and praiseworthy,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"'When,' he says, 'a man more honorable than you comes, he that invited you and him will say, 'Give this man place.' Oh, what great shame is there in having to do this! It is like a theft, so to speak, and the restitution of the stolen goods. He must restore what he has seized because he had no right to take it. The modest and praiseworthy person, who without fear of blame might have claimed the dignity of sitting among the foremost, does not seek it. He yields to others what might be called his own, that he may not even seem to be overcome by empty pride. Such a one shall receive honor as his due. He says, 'He shall hear him who invited him say, "Come up here."... If any one among you wants to be set above others, let him win it by the decree of heaven and be crowned by those honors that God bestows. Let him surpass the many by having the testimony of glorious virtues. The rule of virtue is a lowly mind that does not love boasting. It is humility. The blessed Paul also counted this worthy of all esteem. He writes to those who eagerly desire saintly pursuits, 'Love humility.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 101.5) (Schwager, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for today.
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 14:1, 7-11 comments that this is the way of Jesus’ kingdom, where the path to greatness lies in humility.
Jesus shows us through his own passion and death that the way of humility is the way to blessing. As St. Paul wrote, he humbled himself, “taking the form of a slave,” and accepted death on a cross for our sake (Philippians 2:7). In turn, God the Father exalted him, giving him “the name that is above every name” (2:9). Similarly, when we humble ourselves, our Father sees and rewards us with a greater glory than we could imagine.
How might the Spirit be leading you to choose humility today?
“Lord, I thirst for you! Lead me along your humble path today.” (Meditation on Luke 14:1, 7-11, 2026)
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces author Laurie Brock who reflects on Jesus’s invitation to “love one another” as an act of vulnerability.
We may deliberately seek out these holy encounters. But often we stumble into them, having walked down roads that seemed benign at first, even exciting. Then we realize the prayer we’ve prayed is answered. God really does mean for us to love our neighbor as ourselves, even the one supporting a different political agenda. God really does want us to care for the outcasts, even when doing so means we have to venture out of our own comfortable places. God really does mean to love when love means we have to be vulnerable to those with whom we are in relationship. (Rohr, n.d.)
We seek the inspiration of the Spirit to choose the humble position in our relationships and thereby open the door for sincere engagement with other children of God.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved October 31, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/14?1
Meditation on Luke 14:1, 7-11. (2026, October 31). The Word Among Us. Retrieved October 31, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/10/31/1704950/
Philippians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 31, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/1?
Psalms, PSALM 42 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved October 31, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/42?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Loving Your Neighbor: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 31, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Every One Who Exalts Himself Will Be Humbled. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 31, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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