The theme of this Sunday’s readings is humility. What is humility and how do we exercise it, especially in a culture which values “self-esteem?” We are all familiar with manifestations of pride and arrogance that make life hard for everyone. False humility, which masquerades as virtue but is in reality only another form of pride, is equally difficult.
You Have Approached Mount Zion
Humility is rooted in reality – a true assessment of ourselves, our relationship to others and our place in the universe. The author of Sirach says, “What is too sublime for you, seek not, into things beyond your strength search not.” His words are echoed by the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews: “You have not approached that which could be touched and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness and storm and a trumpet blast and a voice speaking words such that those who heard begged that no message be further addressed to them.” We are called to be who we are before God; as St. Francis famously said, “What a man is before God, that he is and no more.”
Friend, Move Up Higher
The guest in the Gospel parable does not know his place in the scheme of things. He is conscious only of where he would like to be but his view does not correspond to that of the host who has invited other people more prominent than he. He ends up being embarrassed. Someone who is at peace with his or her identity will easily yield the place of honor.
A Giver of Gifts
True humility involves accepting the gifts God has given me and using them. It means acknowledging our sinfulness and working to overcome it. It also means stepping forward to take responsibility and leadership when called upon to do so. It requires a sense of humor and the ability to laugh at oneself. Most of all, it is relational – it focuses on the other person and desires his or her good. Cardinal Merry Del Val’s Litany of Humility includes the prayer that “others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should.” This is the point of humility – holiness – and the end of the journey in the heavenly Jerusalem.
[Readings: Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; Heb 12:18-19, 22-24a; Lk 14:1, 7-14]
