FIRST READING
“Not as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 6:1-9)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honour your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Slaves, be obedient to those who are your earthly masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as to Christ; not in the way of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatever good any one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. Masters, do the same to them, and forbear threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 145: 10- 11.12-13ab.13cd-14 (R. 13c)
R/. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
All your works shall thank you, O Lord,
and all your faithful ones bless you.
They shall speak of the glory of your reign,
and declare your mighty deeds. R/.
They shall make known your might to the children of men,
and the glorious splendour of your reign.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom;
your rule endures for all generations. R/.
R/. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
The Lord is faithful in all his words,
and holy in all his deeds.
The Lord supports all who fall,
and raises up all who are bowed down. R/.
ALLELUIA 2 Thessalonians 2: 14
Alleluia. God has called us through the Gospel, to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“Men will come from east and west, and sit at table in the kingdom of God.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 13:22-30)
At that time: Jesus went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. And some one said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us.’ “He will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from’ “Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ “But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!’ There you will weep and gnash your teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out. And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
Life by default is not so easy; it is full of obstacles. Life becomes worth living when we find ways and means to overcome the challenges that come our way. Entering through the narrow door will curtail our free movement but keep us focused on moving forward. In our heyday we will have many friends to throw parties, but during adversities only a few will be there for us. Nothing is easy without God. When we have God at our side, the least becomes the first. When we put God first, He will pull us through all the difficulties.