Hope in Humility

 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.

Sharing the Banquet

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/ 

Foundation in Healing

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary exhort us to love and care for all of Creation.

Healing in Creation

The Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians presents Greeting and Thanksgiving.

* [1:3–11] As in Rom 1:8–15 and all the Pauline letters except Galatians, a thanksgiving follows, including a direct prayer for the Philippians (Phil 1:9–11); see note on Rom 1:8. On their partnership for the gospel (Phil 1:5), cf. Phil 1:29–30; 4:10–20. Their devotion to the faith and to Paul made them his pride and joy (Phil 4:1). The characteristics thus manifested are evidence of the community’s continuing preparation for the Lord’s parousia (Phil 1:6, 10). Paul’s especially warm relationship with the Philippians is suggested here (Phil 1:7–8) as elsewhere in the letter. The eschatology serves to underscore a concern for ethical growth (Eph 1:9–11), which appears throughout the letter.

* [1:6] The day of Christ Jesus: the parousia or triumphant return of Christ, when those loyal to him will be with him and share in his eternal glory; cf. Phil 1:10; 2:16; 3:20–21; 1 Thes 4:17; 5:10; 2 Thes 1:10; 1 Cor 1:8. (Philippians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 111 tells how God is revealed in Israel’s history

* [Psalm 111] A Temple singer (Ps 111:1) tells how God is revealed in Israel’s history (Ps 111:2–10). The deeds reveal God’s very self, powerful, merciful, faithful. The poem is an acrostic, each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. (Psalms, PSALM 111 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus cures the man with dropsy on the Sabbath.

* [14:1–6] See note on Lk 13:10–17.

* [14:2] Dropsy: an abnormal swelling of the body because of the retention and accumulation of fluid.

* [14:5] Your son or ox: this is the reading of many of the oldest and most important New Testament manuscripts. Because of the strange collocation of son and ox, some copyists have altered it to “your ass or ox,” on the model of the saying in Lk 13:15. (Luke, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Becky Nickerson comments that Jesus reminds us that caring for people is never separate from honoring God.

This passage leaves me with a simple but important reminder: pay attention. Notice the people around you. Make space for compassion, even when life feels busy. Stay open to learning from others and be willing to act when an opportunity to care presents itself. It reminds me that faith is lived out not only in grand gestures but in everyday choices to notice, care for, and stand beside others. As I continue to grow in my faith, I pray for the wisdom to recognize the needs around me, the humility to listen deeply, and the courage to respond with the same compassion that Jesus demonstrated. In a world that often rewards efficiency and productivity, Jesus offers a different way of living - one rooted in presence, mercy, and love (Nickerson, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The law does not forbid mercy on the Sabbath,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"As they were silent from ill will, Christ refutes their unrelenting shamelessness by the convincing arguments that he uses. 'Whose son of you,' he says, 'or whose ox shall fall into a pit, and he will not immediately draw him out on the sabbath day?' If the law forbids showing mercy on the sabbath, why do you take compassion on that which has fallen into the pit?... The God of all does not cease to be kind. He is good and loving to people."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 101) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for today.

The Word Among Us Meditation is on Philippians 1:1-11.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, identifies our ability to love as the very foundation of our being.

We implore the Spirit to inspire Love in our Piety, Study, and Action.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 30, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/14? 

Nickerson, B. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 30, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/ 

Philippians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 30, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/1? 

Psalms, PSALM 111 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 30, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/111?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). They Were Watching Jesus. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 30, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Prayer and Power

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to seek strength in our struggle with powerful forces of evil in our communion with Christ in prayer. 

Prayer in Power

The Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians identifies the Battle against Evil and our need for Constant Prayer.

* [6:10–20] A general exhortation to courage and prayer. Drawing upon the imagery and ideas of Is 11:5; 59:16–17; and Wis 5:17–23, Paul describes the Christian in terms of the dress and equipment of Roman soldiers. He observes, however, that the Christian’s readiness for combat is not directed against human beings but against the spiritual powers of evil (Eph 6:10–17; cf. Eph 1:21; 2:2; 3:10). Unique importance is placed upon prayer (Eph 6:18–20). (Ephesians, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 144 proclaims a promise of future thanksgiving for prosperity and peace.

* [Psalm 144] The Psalm may reflect a ceremony in which the king, as leader of the army, asked God’s help (Ps 144:1–8). In Ps 144:9 the poem shifts abruptly from pleading to thanksgiving, and (except for Ps 144:11) shifts again to prayer for the people. The first section (Ps 144:1–2) is a prayer of thanks for victory; the second (Ps 144:3–7a), a humble acknowledgment of human nothingness and a supplication that God show forth saving power; the third (Ps 144:9–11), a promise of future thanksgiving; the fourth (Ps 144:12–15), a wish for prosperity and peace. A prayer for deliverance from treacherous foes serves as a refrain after the second and third sections (Ps 144:7b–8, 11). Except for its final section, the Psalm is made up almost entirely of verses from other Psalms.

* [144:1–2] Composed of phrases from Ps 18:3, 35, 47–48.

* [144:8b, 11b] Their right hands are raised in lying oaths: the psalmist’s enemies give false testimony. (Psalms, PSALM 144 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke declares Herod’s Desire to Kill Jesus and Jesus Lament over Jerusalem.

* [13:32] Nothing, not even Herod’s desire to kill Jesus, stands in the way of Jesus’ role in fulfilling God’s will and in establishing the kingdom through his exorcisms and healings.

* [13:33] It is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem: Jerusalem is the city of destiny and the goal of the journey of the prophet Jesus. Only when he reaches the holy city will his work be accomplished. (Luke, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Steve Scholer comments Fear is a great motivator, and in response to these fears about our personal safety or the security of our possessions, we act. From the limits we place on our online activity, to where we travel, or even when and where we travel within our hometowns.

While imprisoned in Rome, the Apostle Paul changed the focus of the epistle he was writing from our earthly fears about our personal safety or the loss of our possessions, to something much more important – our souls. The very essence of who we are…

As we reflect on Paul’s words, we need to remind ourselves that asking for AI to solve our problems is not the solution. It simply starves our souls of the prayer and reflection needed. We need to remind ourselves that the pride we have in our own moral compass needs to be bolstered by asking for God’s help. We need to remind ourselves that any bitterness and envy we harbor only darken our souls and thus, our relationship with God. We need to remind ourselves that compromise is a slippery slope, one destined to lead us away from following Christ. So, today during our Examen of Conscience, let’s pray for those who live in fear for their lives and for those who have fallen victim to evil scams. More importantly, let’s ask God to be our armor against the flaming arrows of The Evil One, to shield us from the constant assault that is upon us to step away from living faith-filled lives and loving our neighbors. Let’s take time to nurture our souls like our life depended on it …because our eternal life does. (Scholer, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus foreshadows his triumphant entrance into Jerusalem,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)

"'And I tell you,' he says, 'you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord.' What does this mean? The Lord withdrew from Jerusalem and left as unworthy of his presence those who said, 'Get away from here.' And after he had walked about Judea and saved many and performed miracles which no words can adequately describe, he returned again to Jerusalem. It was then that he sat upon a colt of a donkey, while vast multitudes and young children, holding up branches of palm trees, went before him, praising him and saying, 'Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord' (Matthew 21:9). Having left them, therefore, as being unworthy, he says that when the time of his passion has arrived, he will then barely be seen by them. Then again he went up to Jerusalem and entered amidst praises, and at that very time endured his saving passion in our behalf, that by suffering he might save and renew to incorruption the inhabitants of the earth. God the Father has saved us by Christ."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 100) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for today. Ephesians will have to engage in the combat of good against evil. The author of Ephesians declares the Gentiles will have to be called away from the ways of Satan to a structure built on the foundation of Christ. They are fighting a spiritual battle. The battle is not easy as it is waged within our own heart. We protect our backs with prayer and supplication to the Holy Spirit. Herod wants to kill Jesus after the execution of John the Baptist. Jesus performs a taunt song over Jerusalem. Jesus declares an event that is going to happen. Jerusalem is going to suffer the destruction of the Temple. Friar Jude notes Luke writes his Gospel after 70 CE when the Temple was destroyed by the Romans.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Ephesians 6:10-20 comments that the temptations and struggles we face involve more than just “flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12). We are in conflict with a real being, Satan, who is opposed to God and his plan. Today let’s reflect on these images to see how we can defend ourselves against “this present darkness” (6:12).

The devil is always “prowling around”, but you don’t have to fear him (1 Peter 5:8). God has equipped you with everything you need to repel his tactics. In Christ you can be victorious!

“Lord, strengthen my faith and protect me from every evil!” (Meditation on Ephesians 6:10-20, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on how Public theologian Rachel Held Evans (1981–2019) considers how Jesus understood love as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s law.

The truth is, you can bend Scripture to say just about anything you want it to say…. We all go to the text looking for something, and we all have a tendency to find it. So the question we have to ask ourselves is this: are we reading with the prejudice of love, with Christ as our model, or are we reading with the prejudices of judgment and power, self-interest and greed? Are we seeking to enslave or liberate, burden or set free?…

This is why there are times when the most instructive question to bring to the text is not, What does this say? but, What am I looking for? I suspect Jesus knew this when he said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).

If you want to do violence in this world, you will always find the weapons. If you want to heal, you will always find the balm. With Scripture, we’ve been entrusted with some of the most powerful stories ever told. How we harness that power, whether for good or evil, oppression or liberation, changes everything. (Rohr, n.d.)

We pray for the inspiration of the Spirit as we act upon our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader serving the needs of all the people with whom we interact.

References

Ephesians, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/6? 

Luke, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/13? 

Meditation on Ephesians 6:10-20. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/10/29/1703785/ 

Psalms, PSALM 144 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/144?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Love Is the Law. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/love-is-the-law/ 

Scholer, S. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-29-2026 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Blessed Is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord! Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/