October 29, 2022, Saturday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time-C
Philippians 1:18-26
Psalm 42
Luke 14:1, 7-11
…with all boldness, now as always, Christ will be magnified in my body, Phil. 1:20
On a sabbath, Jesus went to dine at the home of the leading Pharisee… Lk. 14:1
Lord, you could have dined that sabbath with friends or family. That would have been a more joyful lunch. But you deliberately chose to go to the home of a man who probably despised you and wanted to catch you in a trap so he could accuse you. Not many friendly faces in that crowd! Being the Divine Physician, you went where healing was needed. You went to search the hearts of your enemies so you could free them to live the life you came to give. Lord, we all have unpleasant or disagreeable people in our communities, workplaces and even our own families. My usual reaction is to avoid them. You show me a better way. St. Paul knew he carried the truth of the gospel in how he lived. He went to the ends of the known world to magnify you in the lives of those who did not yet believe. Regardless of whether I magnify you by my joys or sorrows, my living or my dying, I pray for the grace to be faithful to you in any circumstance. I am confident you will lead me today to someone whose needs you and I can help to resolve. Amen.