THE HUMBLE BUT POWERFUL GOD
The greatest lesson of our Christian faith is that we have a humble but powerful God who reveals himself to us daily in people, things, or events of our lives. The humility of God calls and challenges us to a humble, meek and gentle lifestyle.
The choice of God’s ways of revealing himself to us in the history of our salvation or faith journey is always through humble people. Humility does not only invite us to be like God. It is the wisdom to accept or admit to our limitations while striving to be perfect.
HUMILITY IS NOT LOW SELF-ESTEEM OR SELF-WORTH
We need to practice humility in personal and social life: Humility is based on the psychological awareness that everything I have is a gift from God and, therefore, I have no reason to elevate myself above others.
On the contrary, I must use these God-given gifts to help others. True humility requires us neither to overestimate nor underestimate our worth. We must admit the truths that we are sinners, that we do not know everything, and that we do not always act properly.
OUR THEME
The readings of this Sunday are not only just about God teaching us humility, meekness and gentleness. It is about His very nature; a humble yet all-powerful God. A humble God who became man in the form of an innocent helpless baby of Nazareth or the suffering and powerless Victim of the cross at Golgotha. Yet, it never ceases to be God.
Therefore, the common theme of today’s readings is the need for true humility which leads to a generous and blessed sharing with the needy. The readings also warn us against all forms of pride and self-glorification.
They present humility not only as a virtue but also as a means of opening our hearts, our minds, and our hands to the poor, the needy, the disadvantaged, and the marginalized people in our society – personal responsibility for every authentic Christian.
FIRST READING: SIRACH/ ECCLESIASTICUS 3:17-20, 28-29
Today’s reading, taken from Sirach, gives a lesson in humility. Jesus ben Sirach was a Jerusalem sage living about 200 years before Jesus of Nazareth. This selection, taken from his book of moral instruction and proverbs, is part of the Wisdom literature of the Hebrew Scriptures.
The reading presents excerpted portions of two of ben Sirach’s short essays, the first on humility (3:17-24), the second on docility, almsgiving and social conduct (3:25-4:10). Like a parent or an elder brother offering wise counsel, the author recommends that his readers find true greatness in living humbly.
“Conduct your affairs in humility,” ben Sirach writes. “The more you humble yourselves, the greater you are.” He instructs us to be honest about ourselves and to become conscious of our limitations, acknowledging our true position before God as creatures and sinners. Humble people do not deny their gifts and talents. They recognize that their gifts and talents come from God and use them accordingly.
God loves the humble heart more than a generous giver, and He raises the humble to grace and glory. A prudent humble man does more of seeing, and hearing than talking.
PSALM 67 OR 68: 4-7, 10-11
Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 68) shows us God’s eternal awareness of the least of His children. The Psalm Refrain has us sing, “God, in Your Goodness, You have made a Home for the Poor!” while the verse reminds us, “The Father of orphans and the Defender of widows is God in His Holy Dwelling. / God gives a home to the forsaken; He leads forth prisoners to prosperity.”(v. 6-7).
SECOND READING: HEBREWS.12:18-19, 22-24
The nature of a humble and close God is transforming the presence of many angels and humans. A God who is not associated with thunderstorms or great signs to reveal who He is or His Presence.
But manifest Himself in the humble, simple and little insignificant things, events and persons in history and life. The Meditator-God of all closeness to humanity.
Paul reminds us that Jesus was lowly, particularly in his suffering and death for our salvation (Heb. 2:5-18), so we should be like him so that we may be exalted with him at the resurrection of the righteous. Paul seems to imply that we have to follow Christ’s example of humility in our relationships with the less fortunate members of our society.
THE GOSPEL: LUKE. 14:1, 7-14
Jesus was blunt with the Pharisees and Scribbles for their attention-seeking, eye-service before authorities and scheming attitudes to be recognized.
He remained them of a humble beginning that leads to greatness and honour, as well as, the services to all without seeking vainglory.
Today’s Gospel teaches us that we must act with humility and see ourselves as the servants of the community rather than those whom the community might feel honoured to serve.
As such, in today’s Gospel, Jesus explains the practical benefits of humility, connecting it with the common wisdom about dining etiquette. Jesus advises the guests to go to the lowest place instead of seeking places of honour, so that the host may give them the place they deserve.
Jesus’ words concerning the seating of guests at a wedding banquet should prompt us to honour those whom others ignore because if we are generous and just in our dealings with those in need, we can be confident of the Lord’s blessings.
THE LESSON OF THE GOSPEL TEXT
1. It shows us the serenity with which Jesus met life. There is nothing more tiresome than being under constant and critical scrutiny. When this happens to most people they lose their nerve, and temper and become more irritable. Jesus in the face of perceived enemies and antagonism remained serene.
2. It is also to be noted that Jesus never refused anyone´s invitation to hospitality. Even when there are many oppositions.
3. The most amazing thing about the Scribes and Pharisees is their staggering lack of a sense of moral proportion. They would go to endless trouble to formulate and obey their petty rules and regulations.
4. We have the challenge to reach out to more people and be all-inclusive, especially to the less privileged, needy or poor.
5. We need to accept our limitations, and realise our need for Christ’s redeeming power in our lives. Grace is most clearly present for one who knows that she or he is needy. As St Paul puts it, “I am content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:9f)
The motives behind our generosity:
a. We should not give from a sense of duty or obligation.
b. We should also never give purely from the motives of self-interest.
c. Neither should we give to feel superior over those we help.
d. We have to give to the needy or poor because we can help them. That is the only real way to give.
FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS
i. How I do model the sense of humility in my life? How well do I live the deep sense of Christian humility to accept my limitations, admit to my faults and be open to corrections?
ii. What are the motives of our generosity in life: that is of our service in the Church or others? Is my generosity only within the circle of my friends and admirers? Or is it an act of eye service before authorities and others?
iii. Do I joyfully rejoice with others who shine in my family, group, or society? Or am I grudgingly embittered when others shine?
iv. Do I have preferential options for the poor, needy, less-privileged etc.? Or is my life and sense of worth in my act of picking or selecting who is around me?
In a world where bragging and self-aggrandizement are the norms of our daily lives, being humble may be seen as foolish or weak-minded. We might even be discriminated against or discarded by haughty minds as classless individuals. Yet, it is the world and time Jesus invites us to be humble, meek, gentle and self-effacing before God and men.
OUR PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, You invite us to be meek, humble and gentle of heart as You are. Help us understand humility is not weakness, meekness and gentleness have nothing to do with cowardice. May no pride, haughtiness, self-will, arrogance and egotism cross our hearts or deprive us of the fruits of humility in self-awareness and service to all. Amen
