Readings: Sir. 3:17-20, 28-29; Heb. 12:18-19, 22-24; Lk 14:1, 7-14
Pride Goes Before the Fall
1. Today’s first reading admonishes, “My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.” The Latin word ‘humilitas’, a noun, relates to the adjective humilis, which means “humble,” “grounded,” or “from the earth.” Its origin is ‘humus’ (earth). Humble persons do not see themselves as being more important than others. Christ teaches us to“Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.”(Matt. 11:29). The way of Christ is the way of the lamb of God who took away the sins of the world. He is the suffering servant of God who is “Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break and a smoldering wick he shall not quench until he establishes justice on the earth.” (Is. 42:1-4). And so, the readings remind us to be humble in dealing with others. People love those who are humble. Their humility is a gift that is more than a material gift. They give of themselves to others.
2. Humility is not self-abasement or self-deprecating. It is not underestimating or underrating one’s abilities. No. God’s gifts to us are for a good purpose, to build up the body of Christ, the church. Humility disposes us to put our time, talent, and treasure in the service of God and his people. It enables us to recognize our weaknesses and limitations. It makes it possible for us to acknowledge that everything we have comes from God. Since all we have is a gift from God, we must not be pompous, boastful, arrogant, and inconsiderate about our gifts. Rather, we should put God first in all things, people next, then ourselves last. That is the fruit of humility. The book of Proverbs warns: “Before his downfall, a man’s heart is haughty, but humility goes before honors.” (Prov. 18:12). Pride goes before the fall; if we are not humble, we will stumble and fall.
3. In today’s Gospel, we are invited to dinner by God, just as Christ dinned at the leading Pharisee’s house. Many of those invited were busy choosing places of honor regardless of who else was invited. Christ reminds us that it is better to be invited to a high table by our host than be demoted to the floor seat with others. Won’t we be embarrassed if we are told to give up our place to someone more important than ourselves? How do we present ourselves before God and Christ, his Son, at the eucharistic table? Are we in church with the sole purpose of meeting the Lord and celebrating with our brothers and sisters, or have we come to tell God of our importance? Do we discriminate against others at the table of the Lord, or do we see ourselves as a worshipping community who worship God in spirit and in truth? Are we boastful and conceited like the Pharisee in the bible, “O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity – greedy, dishonest, adulterous – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.” or are we humble enough to know our position in life and acknowledge our need for God? “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”? (Lk. 18:9-14). It is true indeed that a humble person who often looks up to God rarely looks down on anyone, especially if they are poor, for he does not see himself as being better than anyone. Isn’t it funny that some of us like to sit at the back pew in church, but when invited to a social gathering, take the seat at the high table with no consideration that someone greater than us may have been invited and we may have to give up our seat to that person?
4. Christ encourages us to consider whom to invite to our celebrations. The law of reciprocity is to be avoided by all means. We are to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. That they are unable to repay us means we are blessed. God will repay us at the resurrection of the righteous. Thus, Christ admonishes us that our admission into the kingdom will depend on how we treat the poor. Did we feed the hungry or give water to the thirsty? Did we welcome the stranger or clothe the naked? Did we visit those in prison or the sick at home? “What you did not do for one of these least ones you did not do for me.” So, is our humility grounded in our faith to the point of seeing everyone as our brothers or sisters? Do I allow Christ to grow in my life so that I no longer see how important I am but rather see the importance of those around me? Can I say with St. Paul, “Yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me”? (Gal. 2:20). Amen.
Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
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