Pride is nothing new. People like to be respected and endorsed in social situations. But if we aren’t careful, our pride can lead to being humiliated by others. Jesus gives good advice for avoiding that. This is the day the Lord has made. Even if you are dealing with humiliation, let us agree to somehow rejoice in this day. I invite you to get a Bible – in print or electronic – and start working through all or part of the prayers, scripture reading, questions, and devotional reading below. May the Lord bless you as you do so. And may the Spirit of God work in each of us to shape us to be a little more like Jesus, today.

— Praise God with Me: (1)
Mighty God,
we do not yet see the glory you plan for all humankind, but in faith we do see Jesus.
We thank you for the humility and holiness in which he lived and died.
We praise you that he freed us from our sin,
that he comforts and strengthens us through our struggles,
and that he gives us courage to follow him.
For this, we now join with all creation and shout for joy:
Holy, holy, holy are you, Lord! Amen.

— Let us read and reflect on Scripture:
Come Holy Spirit, help us to hear your still, small voice as we read your word:
Luke 14:7-11
7 When he [Jesus] noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “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. 9 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. 10 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. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

— Answer these four questions:
What does this passage say about God?
What does this passage say about people?
As a result of this reading, what is one step God is inviting you to take?
Who is one person you will tell about that step today?

— With a Heart of Prayer, Let us Respond: (2)
Gracious God, we give our best, lest in gaining the world we lose life itself.
As a covenant people, we seek to witness to your will and way.
Help us to know more clearly how to be faithful with the wealth entrusted to our care.
As we contribute to the needs of your people, we present ourselves as living sacrifices.
Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

— Let’s Gather Wisdom from One Who Walked with Christ before us: (3)
Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about himself at all.
If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realise that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.

— Receive this blessing as we begin this day: (4)
May the Christ who walks on wounded feet walk with you on the road.
May the Christ who serves with wounded hands stretch out your hands to serve.
May the Christ who loves with a wounded heart open your hearts to love.
May you see the face of Christ in everyone you meet,
and may everyone you meet see the face of Christ in you. Amen.

Sources:
(1) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
(2) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
(3) From Mere Christianity, CS Lewis
(4) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.