Sermon Tone Analysis

Title

What Do We Honor?

Outline

Status or honor is a motivation in every society

The higher status or honored have access to more resources

Of course, communities define honor or status differently

But even in religious communities, and certainly among clergy, there are honor or status signals

In the first century Jewish community status was signaled by observing membership boundary signs

There were circumcision, purity laws and rituals, and festivals, particularly the Sabbath

Christians defined status by their allegiance/obedience to the resurrected Jesus, yet viewed themselves as children of Abraham - this threatened Jews

Paul both explains why this did not indicate a rejection of ethnic Israel and how it was part of God’s plan to bring Gentiles into his people with the ultimate goal of uniting both into one people (cf his tree and branches analogy)

Jesus would become the new way for both because he himself was an ethnic Jew, but the new way in did not negate the status of the old ethnic believers

Jesus deals with a different status issue

At banquets one signaled one’s status by taking one’s place in the highest honor position one dared.

The danger, of course, was that the host could signal that one had overstepped and ask one to sit in a lower status position

Jesus teaches one should choose the lower status position and then let the host be the one to give one a higher status.

Of course, while it applies to this-world banquets, his real focus is the kingdom - James and John would later make this mistake

So we are to realize that high status in the church is a danger, while low status is to be embraced

We need to ask ourselves what these issues mean for us?

Do we choose low status and only at the instance of the “host” take a higher status?

Or do we do low status work telling ourselves that this shows our humility and we really should go higher?

Do we find higher status/honor a burden and perhaps long to retire to a life of prayer?

Are we grateful for our status as part of the people of God, attributing it all to Jesus?

Or do we look down on ethnic Jews as, well rebels; do we love them even if they reject us?

Sisters, there is one who is of supreme honor inherently, and we should realize that any aspect he gives us is grace

Readings

FIRST READING

Romans 11:1–2a, 11–12, 25–29

1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people?

Of course not!

For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.

Do you not know what the scripture says about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?

11 Hence I ask, did they stumble so as to fall?

Of course not!

But through their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make them jealous.

12 Now if their transgression is enrichment for the world, and if their diminished number is enrichment for the Gentiles, how much more their full number.

25 I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not become wise [in] your own estimation: a hardening has come upon Israel in part, until the full number of the Gentiles comes in, 26 and thus all Israel will be saved, as it is written:

“The deliverer will come out of Zion,

he will turn away godlessness from Jacob;

27 and this is my covenant with them

when I take away their sins.”

28 In respect to the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but in respect to election, they are beloved because of the patriarchs.

29 For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.

RESPONSE

Psalm 94:14a

14 For the LORD will not forsake his people,

nor abandon his inheritance.

PSALM

Psalm 94:12–13a, 14–15, 17–18

12 Blessed the one whom you guide, LORD,

whom you teach by your instruction,

13 To give rest from evil days,

while a pit is being dug for the wicked.

14 For the LORD will not forsake his people,

nor abandon his inheritance.

15 Judgment shall again be just,

and all the upright of heart will follow it.

17 If the LORD were not my help,

I would long have been silent in the grave.

18 When I say, “My foot is slipping,”

your mercy, LORD, holds me up.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Matthew 11:29ab

29  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.

GOSPEL

Luke 14:1, 7–11

1 On a sabbath he went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.

7 He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.

8 “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, 9 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.

10 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.

11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Notes

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2021 | ORDINARY TIME

SATURDAY OF THE THIRTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

YEAR 1 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Romans 11:1–2a, 11–12, 25–29

Response Psalm 94:14a

Psalm Psalm 94:12–13a, 14–15, 17–18

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 11:29ab

Gospel Luke 14:1, 7–11

GREEN or WHITE for BVM on Saturday