August 28, 2016

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time C
Sirach 3: 17-18; Hebrews 12: 18-19, 22-24; Luke 14: 1, 7-14
Good questions: ‘What keeps me from accepting others in humility as God loves me and everyone He
created?’ Another one: Why is it that humility seems to be at odds with the standards existent in our
culture? What does humility really mean to a person who has been called and is trying so hard to live
the life of a Christian?
C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity, a wonderful book on what it means to be a Christian, states it very
succinctly and beautifully, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” This brings
the topic much more into focus for my reflection. How big am I in my own world? Do I view myself as
a gift in the world or do I view myself as called to be a gift to others? Or am I both?
The theme of our readings today is obviously humility. It is a very difficult virtue. I can say that I
certainly fall short in being a humble person but probably I am more humble than I think I am. Perhaps
a bigger question to help my focus would be to ask how good a Christian do I feel that I am today? Am
I caring, and helping and loving and forgiving or am I concerned with me? How do I feel about myself
today? Thomas Merton said “A humble person is not disturbed by praise. A person who is not humble cannot
accept praise gracefully.”
The book of Sirach is a collection of proverbs and sayings that are meant to help people leading lives
guided by God’s ways. Sunday Homily Helps summarizes Sirach’s selection today: “Sirach urges his
readers to lead humble lives exhibiting total reliance on God. In so doing, they distinguish themselves as servants
of heaven If they find favor in the eyes of God then they have gained something that this world could never offer
them. The greater people are, Sirach teaches, the more they should humble themselves. Great persons are in a
position to influence others for the better. If they serve God in the things they say and do others may follow their
good example. Sirach says such people will be loved more than ‘a giver of gifts’ because they have given others an
example of faith Sirach also cautions his readers not to pursue what is too sublime for them. Adam and Even
made this mistake in the garden when they sought in their own way to be ‘like God’”
In Luke’s gospel, Jesus has been invited to dine at the home of a leading Pharisee. He was again being
watched and tested. Jesus in turn is evaluating them and seeing how many just think they are so
important they have to sit in the ‘special seats’. He gives a simple conclusion, ‘if I exalt myself, I may
be humbled and if I humble myself I may be exalted.’ Also in looking around, Jesus makes note of the
fact that all the ‘right’ people have been invited. What about those who have no one to care for them?
What about those who are hurting and ostracized: the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind? Am I
caring for them? This is a constant theme in Luke’s gospel, perhaps it comes from his medical
background, caring for those who are hurting. This is his constant challenge for his Christian
community and each one of us. How gifted am I…am I grateful…do I share my gifts…when
convenient…or at all times?
Jesus is constantly teaching me in this matter. In John 14:6 He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
Its all about God…what have I received that has not been a gift from God? Do I make myself the ‘be
all and end all’? In Matthew 11:29 He says, “Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” Jesus is
offering Himself as an example of humility and a model of gentleness. This is a very good reminder for
myself because when I reflect on where I am at, what is happening in my life and where I am going do I
include God in each one of these refections? He is always present, but am I living within His presence?
If I’m not on the road toward Him and with Him he says, “I am the way”. When I prefer to do things my
way and fail to see God in every moment and movement in my life He tells me, “I am the truth.” And as I
am moving and living and climbing, He is telling me, “‘I am the life”. I have to constantly remind myself
that I am loved and have been created in love. That God has envisioned me for all eternity and has a
plan and a purpose for me. He has continued to fill me with the grace and gifts that accomplish His
plan. If I don’t spend time in gratitude and looking at these gifts I am in ignorance. And it is ignorance
that contributes to my pride because I delude myself into thinking that I am better than I am. This is
how sin originates within me, that I am greater in my own eyes that I am before God. St Bernard of
Clairvux, in Love Songs, Wisdom from Saint Bernard of Clairvaux commented on today’s Gospel, “That
is why God wished us to choose neither a middle seat nor the second to the last one, nor even one of the lowest
rank. He said, ‘sit down in the lowest place’ (Luke 14:10), that you may sit alone, last of all, and not dare to
compare yourself, still less to prefer yourself, to anyone. See how great the evil that springs from our lack of selfknowledge—
nothing less than the devil’s sin and the beginning of every sin, pride (Sirach 10:13).
How am I letting my world know that God is present in my life and my life is showing God’s love to
them? Do I want to take the credit? My Dad had many sayings to describe certain people. One was, ‘I
used to be humble but now I don’t have any faults.’ The word ‘humility’ comes from the Latin word
‘humus’ which means the ground, the earth. I can ask myself if I am grounded, and down to earth and in
touch with reality? When I do something good, do I realize that I only could do it with God’s grace. If I
want to publicize this fact, I am advertising it…if I don’t, I am grateful.
Sunday Homily Helps lists a few simple ways to exclude myself from being the center of my world: “—
let others take credit for what was originally your idea. —defer to another or others in choosing a TV show, a
movie, a restaurant, a vacation spot, a cake (even if it’s your birthday). —let the other car have the choice, empty
parking space that you saw a few seconds earlier and ‘claimed’ with a turn signal. —do something good and ‘shut
up about it. —frequently say the core of the Alcoholics Anonymous ‘Third Step Prayer’’: ‘Relieve me of bondage of
self, that I may better do Your will.’”
So I reflect on:
• What limitations are helpful reminders in my life that I am not God?
• In my daily interactions, how much of the time am I the dominant person?
• Does putting myself last mean that I am weak; how is there strength in this?
• Who are the people in my life that keep me centered? Do I ask them for help?
Sacred Space 2016 shares:
“How difficult it is to practice the art of humility! How difficult it is not to take the best seat, grab the best bargain and
be first in line for the concert I must see! Jesus asks us to think of others, be more aware of others’ needs, and
step back a bit and allow others to be center stage for a change. Heavenly Father, teach us how to follow in Jesus’
footsteps, how to be compassionate, more understanding, and more generous in our thinking and in our actions.
As I read Jesus’ parable, does it ring any bells with me Do I remember either the elation of being considered more
special than I thought I was, or the deflation of being thought more ordinary than seemed right for me? What do
these memories tell me about my sense of the world and my place in it?”