The Gospel for The memorial of St. Charles Borromeo Bishop is taken from Luke, 14th chapter, first verse and the seventh through the 11th verse. 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, noting how they were choosing the places of honor at the when you are invited to someone by 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. Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. This unusual passage is Jesus giving advice so the Pharisees can be, in a sense, more esteemed? He plays on the reality that these men were living for esteem. They had to be seen as someone important, someone more important than others.

And so he gives this simple advice that will help them not lose that esteem. And what he’s really trying to do is to say to them, pay attention to who you are. What motivates you? It’s a great question. What does motivate our hearts and our minds and our will? What is it that we’re trying to accomplish?

Is it about me and my importance or is about others and their value? Sat Sam Satan Sa Foreign the Closing Prayer Father, our human nature is something that you’ve given to us. And in that nature we see things that that we’re drawn to that are not fully in sync with your kingdom. And we know that we should change, and it’s very difficult. So bless us with the grace, the power to see ourselves clearly and to choose a way of life that will bring something wonderful to us and to those around us. Help us to build your kingdom.

And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.