Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 484
Reading 1
Brothers and sisters:
As long as in every way, whether in pretense or in truth,
Christ is being proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Indeed I shall continue to rejoice,
for I know that this will result in deliverance for me
through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
My eager expectation and hope
is that I shall not be put to shame in any way,
but that with all boldness, now as always,
Christ will be magnified in my body,
whether by life or by death.
For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.
And I do not know which I shall choose.
I am caught between the two.
I long to depart this life and be with Christ,
for that is far better.
Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.
And this I know with confidence,
that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you
for your progress and joy in the faith,
so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me
when I come to you again.
Responsorial Psalm
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
I went with the throng
and led them in procession to the house of God.
Amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiving,
with the multitude keeping festival.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
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.”
Meditation
“For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.” (Phil 1:21)
Beloved in the Lord, may God be praised at all times! On this Saturday before the Solemnity of All Saints, the Church invites us to contemplate Saint Paul’s burning love for Jesus Christ. His love is so deep that it places him before a genuine dilemma: to depart and be with the Lord, or to remain on earth and continue serving him.
Saint Paul developed such intimacy with Jesus that he could declare: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:20). These words are neither presumption nor a pious expression: they describe a spiritual experience. Paul allowed Christ’s love to transform him so profoundly that his way of thinking, loving and acting became united with that of his Lord. Mystics would call this union with God. It does not mean losing one’s identity, but allowing Christ to dwell within and guide one’s entire life.
For Paul, death is no longer merely a feared separation; it opens the way to a final encounter with the One he loves. He writes that he desires to depart and be with Christ, which is far better, yet remaining in this world is more necessary for the sake of others (cf. Phil 1:23–24). This is his dilemma of love! His longing to be with Jesus is immense, but his love for his brothers and sisters urges him to continue his mission. He chooses to keep serving, because loving Christ also means working so that others may come to know him.
Beloved, through our baptism, we too are called to let Christ live in us. Our union with him must become visible in our choices, our words and the way we serve. True love is not limited to emotions or declarations: it is shown “in action and in truth” (1 Jn 3:18). On the eve of All Saints, let us ask for the grace to love Jesus with hearts increasingly united to his, without fleeing the responsibilities he entrusts to us here on earth.
Let us therefore ask ourselves sincerely: What place does Jesus occupy in my life? What am I willing to do for him? Does my love lead me to serve others, proclaim the Gospel and persevere in faith? May Saint Paul intercede for us so that we too may truly say: “The love of Christ urges us on” (2 Cor 5:14).
Let us pray
God our Father, we thank you for the love you have shown us in Jesus Christ. Through your Holy Spirit, deepen our intimacy with your Son. Free us from a superficial faith and a love that never becomes action. Following Saint Paul’s example, teach us to long for communion with Christ while generously serving our brothers and sisters. May our whole life proclaim his presence. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Intercession
Lord Jesus, we entrust to you those whose love for you has grown cold: rekindle their faith. Support missionaries and all who proclaim your Gospel; strengthen those who suffer and those approaching death, so that they may find their hope in you. Teach each of us to recognize and serve you in our brothers and sisters. Saint Paul, apostle consumed with love for Christ, pray for us. Amen.
Spiritual Exercise
Today, slowly reread Philippians 1:21–26. In silence, ask yourself: “What concrete actions show my love for Jesus?” Then choose one specific way to serve him through another person: offer help, listen, forgive or encourage someone in faith. In the evening, review your day and ask the Lord to make your love more genuine.
MY RESOLUTION: I want to love Christ not only in words, but by dedicating my life to making him known and serving my brothers and sisters.
André Kamta Sabang
Community of the Disciples of the Living Christ
