“Living is Christ to me”! What does Paul mean by this? For him life truly began when he first encountered Christ, and because of his belief in the resurrection, he believed that even though he may be put to death, he would continue to live with Christ. Today’s first reading is from one of Paul’s letters when he was a prisoner in chains. Death was imminent. And even though the anxiety of losing one’s life would be unbearable, Paul courageously declares that his suffering gave him an opportunity to share in the work of Christ.

It is this joy of proclaiming Christ that makes life worth living. This is a beautiful approach to life - to see death as a fulfillment of our life’s work as co-workers in God’s plan of salvation. And Jesus reminds us in today’s Gospel, that even though our part may be small and our place way behind, we can be sure to receive our rightful place at the Lord’s table.

Humility is not a depreciation of ourselves, but an appreciation of God’s plan for us.