Reflection on Today's Readings, Tuesday, 31st Week in Ordinary Time Year II, November 3rd, 2020
Texts: Phil.2:5-11; Ps. 22:26-32; Luke 14:15-24
Today's gospel reading reminds us that love of material things and pleasure could hinder us from attaining the kingdom of God. Some people who are supposed to make it to heaven will be found missing because of their love for material things and pleasure. The first two excuses are about material things while the third is about pleasure. We are therefore cautioned not to allow material things and pleasure prevent us from responding to the invitation to participate in the kingdom of God. Jesus shows that the lowly ones will be the ones who will respond to the invitation to participate in the kingdom of God. These are the people of no status; they have no shelter, no where to lay their heads. They are found in the streets and lanes of the city. They are the poor and maimed and blind and lame. They are the image of people who are poor in the spirit; they have no relation to material things or pleasure; they live simply and only for the day. They represent those whose hope is in God, and not in worldly possessions such as property, livestock or relations.
St. Paul, in the first reading, presents Jesus Christ as epitome of lowliness. He says, "Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross." Though Jesus was rich in glory and power, he lived a lowly life, he emptied himself. What Jesus Christ emptied, we received. He emptied graces upon us. Hence, the problem of those who rejected the invitation to the banquet, in the gospel reading, was not riches but lack of virtue of lowliness, lack of the virtue of humility. We are not to be attached to material things or pleasure, our lives should not depend on them but God.
St. Paul attributes the exaltation of Jesus Christ to his life of lowliness, his life of humility. Hence, St. Paul calls us to follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ. He says, "Have this mind among yourselves, which is in Christ Jesus". We are to live life of lowliness, life of humility.
The saint whose memorial is today, lived his life in humility; he embraced lowly state. St. Martin de Porres faced discrimination because of his black colour but he outlived it, he accepted his lowly state and did not seek high status. During his time blacks were not granted full membership in religious orders. He refused an exception that was to be granted to him to be full member of Dominican order. He gave himself into the works of charity. He was so exceptional in managing his works as barber, surgeon, wardrobe keeper, and infirmarian that it could have not been because of anything else, but the effect of God's grace. He worked in orphanage and hospital. He was known for healing. It was also reported that the food he was entrusted with to distribute to the poor appeared to multiply miraculously. Pope John XXIII says, "Saint Martin, in his total openness to Christ's teaching, loved his brethren with love that sprang from humility and an unclouded faith. He loved men because he saw them as God's children and his own brothers. He loved them indeed more than himself, and in his humility believed everyone to be better and holier than he was. He never failed to find excuses for the faults of others". He really had in him the mind of Christ Jesus.
Lord Jesus Christ, implant in us your mind that we might embrace life of lowliness and humility. Amen.
Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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