Pentecost 12 – Compassion and a warning against pride.
Newsletter Aug. 22, 2025
The readings for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 17, are unified by the themes of humility and self-giving love as the foundation of a life that honors God. Sirach warns that pride leads to ruin, emphasizing that true power and honor come from the Lord, not from human arrogance. Psalm 112 describes the righteous as generous, just, and fearless, grounded in humility and trust in God. Hebrews exhorts believers to live lives of hospitality, compassion, and praise, reminding them to honor Christ through loving deeds and shared sacrifices. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches a parable about choosing the lowly place at a banquet, underscoring that those who humble themselves will be exalted. Together, these passages call the faithful to embody humility, generosity, and hospitality as expressions of true discipleship.
Lectionary Pentecost 12, Year C
Commentary Pentecost 12
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