Daily Gospel Reflection for October 29, 2022

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today, we see Jesus attending a meal at the home of a Pharisee. His parable reflects being humble and choosing the seat that is less preferable. This allows the host to invite you to a better one, instead of taking what you think you deserve and finding you are wrong.

I started to wonder: How often do we compare ourselves to others? Do we find ourselves checking off boxes? Went to Mass, celebrated holy day, volunteered, etc. Do we start to determine our worth by how we see ourselves in comparison to other Catholics? It is easy to become judgmental of others. It is also easy to fall into the comparison trap and feel insecure. Does comparing myself to others help me to be a better Catholic, or does it afford me the right to not live up to all I should because of these comparisons?

It is easy to look at those around us as our audience, performing in such a way as to get accolades from peers when the only approval we should be seeking is that of God. I know that I personally fall into the trap of comparison and worrying about what others think. Their opinions do not matter though. What matters most is that I am living my life for God. That I am following the Catholic Church so that I can be as close to Jesus as possible. My place at church matters in how I can serve and not in what others think of me. It only hurts us and hinders our relationship with God when we are caught up in comparison.

So today, I will try to focus on what is most important. Hopefully, one day, I will be invited to have a seat at the table with our Lord.

Ponder:

Where would you put yourself at the table today? How will you live for Jesus and not the approval of others?

Pray:

Dear Lord, please help us to keep our eyes always focused on You. Help us to be humble and live our lives so that we are invited to a seat at Your table.

Click to tweet: How often do we compare ourselves to others? Do we find ourselves checking off boxes? Went to Mass, celebrated holy day, volunteered, etc. #dailygospel

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