Among the Humble, Léon Augustin Lhermitte, 1844-1925

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

When Jesus noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so,

the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you,

‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

This is the Gospel of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

When you are comfortable with the reading, gather your thoughts, step into a quiet place away from the chaos of the moment, to offer this prayer to the Almighty. Almighty God, you give the holy law to your people so that it will always be near us

and our children. Through our Lord Jesus, who has fulfilled the law in every way, grant that we may love you with heart, soul, strength, and mind, and our neighbor as ourselves. Amen.