DAILY GOSPEL
Sunday, 31st December 2023
Let us all remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Luke 14:1, 7-14
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.
He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.
Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Then he said to the host who invited him, “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
REFLECTION
As Jesus said to the people who are invited to the banquet, “…For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” He emphasized how humility will take you to higher places, rather than “putting yourself in the platform” right away. We should not anticipate to be bowed down by others just because of our position, because someone might take it from us, and then we would be making a full of ourselves. In a modern context, it is better to be “safe than sorry” and to not let our pride take over because this might lead to worse situations. Being humble does not mean you think less of yourself but it actually means you think of yourself less and more to others. Others will see your genuinity including the Lord; you might not get material things, but you will earn their trust. Just like helping those who are in need even if you don’t know them personally, you will be repaid with eternal rewards like love and respect. Serving our loved ones and relatives is nice, but more so if you give genuine concern and charity to those you are not blood-related. Getting rewards without expecting them will make you feel an eternal sense of fullfillment. Lastly, I pray for those people in power to lower themselves for the poor, without asking for anything in return. I also pray for the needy, the crippled, the poor and the like, that they continue to have faith in God, and live a more meaningful life.
LASALLIAN GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Thinking about yourself less and serving others first applies to the Lasallian Guiding Principle: Zeal for Service. It means that one is highly enthusiastic in giving out to others, no matter if there is a reward or not, just as long as you’re making other people happy even for a while. Just as our founder, La Salle, he devoted his life to teaching the poor boys with the Brothers, without asking for anything in return, because they genuinely want to help them hone their skills. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing others’ with their smile and gratitude towards your genuine actions to help them. It is our lifelong duty to help those who are in need because there are no other people who will do, unless you start.
ONE LIFE PRAYER
Holy Spirit
You love us and offer us the gift of association.
You call us to live with joy
You invite us to be people with creative inner life
Lord, grant us your strength for a life full of meaning
Fill us with you grace so that we will live the values of the gospel
Our inner life will grow.
And that we will be credible witnesses
Together with the entire Lasallian Family
In the midst of our world.
We make this prayer through the intercession of Mary
Queen Mother of the Christian Schools, and through
The intercession of Saint John Baptist de la Salle, patron of teachers. Amen.
Our Lady of the Star, pray for us.
St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.
St. Miguel Febres Cordero, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Value: Spirit of Faith
Culture Theme: We nurture our relationship with God.
Productivity Theme: Norms of Piety
ICV Week 1: We live a life of prayer
Prepared by: Dianne Marinella A. Bigcas, PHAR 2-1, through the DLSMHSI Lasallian Mission and Linkages,
Lasallian Formation and Social Action
Our Daily Lasallian Reflection and Prayer is DLSMHSI gift to the Lasallian family for the 2019 Celebration of the Year of Vocation and Tercentenary celebration of the death of our founder SJBDLS.
