22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (September 1, 2019)

SIR 3.17-20, 28-29; HEB 12.18-19, 22-24A; LK 14.1, 7-14

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

  • St. Francis of Assisi famously called the poor the Church’s real treasures, and today’s Psalm reminds us of this, as God, in his goodness, has “made a home for the poor.”

  • While it is indeed true that there are a hierarchy of truths, and that being pro-life ranks near the top, Catholics must not neglect working for peace and justice in other areas as well.

  • And in this psalm, we’re given a good template, modeled on God the Father, on how to do this: promote and consider the adoption of orphans; defend widows; shelter the homeless; visit and care for the imprisoned.

  • If we do this, with and in and through Christ, we are guaranteed to find favor with God, for Jesus assures us that we “will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

PRO-LIFE INTERCESSION

That elected officials may serve with the humility that recognizes that human rights come from God and not from governments, let us pray to the Lord…