20250831 HUMILITY IN GIVING AND RECEIVING
31 August 2025, Sunday, 22nd Week in Ordinary Time
First reading |
Ecclesiasticus 3:19-21,30-31 |
Behave humbly, and you will find favour with the Lord
My son, be gentle in carrying out your business,
and you will be better loved than a lavish giver.
The greater you are, the more you should behave humbly,
and then you will find favour with the Lord;
for great though the power of the Lord is,
he accepts the homage of the humble.
There is no cure for the proud man’s malady,
since an evil growth has taken root in him.
The heart of a sensible man will reflect on parables,
an attentive ear is the sage’s dream.
Responsorial Psalm |
Psalm 67(68):4-7,10-11 |
In your goodness, O God, you prepared a home for the poor.
The just shall rejoice at the presence of God,
they shall exult and dance for joy.
O sing to the Lord, make music to his name;
rejoice in the Lord, exult at his presence.
In your goodness, O God, you prepared a home for the poor.
Father of the orphan, defender of the widow,
such is God in his holy place.
God gives the lonely a home to live in;
he leads the prisoners forth into freedom:
In your goodness, O God, you prepared a home for the poor.
You poured down, O God, a generous rain:
when your people were starved you gave them new life.
It was there that your people found a home,
prepared in your goodness, O God, for the poor.
In your goodness, O God, you prepared a home for the poor.
Second reading |
Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24a |
You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God
What you have come to is nothing known to the senses: not a blazing fire, or a gloom turning to total darkness, or a storm; or trumpeting thunder or the great voice speaking which made everyone that heard it beg that no more should be said to them. But what you have come to is Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem where the millions of angels have gathered for the festival, with the whole Church in which everyone is a ‘first-born son’ and a citizen of heaven. You have come to God himself, the supreme Judge, and been placed with spirits of the saints who have been made perfect; and to Jesus, the mediator who brings a new covenant.
Gospel Acclamation | Jn14:23 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him.
Alleluia!
Or: | Mt11:29 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
Shoulder my yoke and learn from me,
says the Lord,
for I am gentle and humble in heart.
Alleluia!
Gospel | Luke 14:1,7-14 |
Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled
On a sabbath day Jesus had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely. He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this, ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man.” And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher.” In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’
Then he said to his host, ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.’
HUMILITY IN GIVING AND RECEIVING
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [SIR 3:19-21, 30-31; Ps 68; Heb 12:18-19.22-24; LK 14:1.7-14]
“My son, be gentle in carrying out your business, and you will be better loved than a lavish giver.” The words of Sirach in today’s first reading are thought-provoking because he praises the man who is humble in his dealings with others as better than one who is generous with his time and resources. Indeed, at the end of the day, we do not remember what a person does for us per se, but we remember how he or she made us feel – valued, respected and loved. It is the lasting memory of our encounter with that person that leaves an imprint on our hearts and minds, rather than what the person actually did for us.
The truth is that even in giving and helping others, some lack the genuine motive and the personal touch. Some give more for their own benefit than for those they intend to help. They give to be honoured and recognized. Otherwise, why would they want their names to be published and credited? Indeed, like the guests at a dinner, the Lord noticed how they sought places of honour. This prompted Him to say, “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour.” People are egoistic. They want to be known and seen as VIPs.
Of course, some give for so-called “noble” publicity, hoping to gain more business and contacts. Some corporate organizations donate to causes but demand publicity; otherwise, they will not give. They insist their company’s logo and photos be featured on banners, displays, and magazines. This shows that their giving is not truly philanthropic or humanistic but a marketing strategy to gain visibility. Such giving is insincere. They give as much to receive–and sometimes receive far more. That is why the Lord said to His host, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relatives, or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return.” Instead, when we give, we must not expect anything in return. Jesus said, “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.”(Mt 6:2)
Indeed, Sirach warns us of the dangers of pride. “There is no cure for the proud man’s malady, since an evil growth has taken root in him.” Pride is the cause of the downfall of every man. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov 16:18) When we are proud and egoistic, we alienate ourselves from others. We seek to distinguish ourselves, to be placed on a pedestal. We deceive ourselves into believing that we are better than others, glorifying ourselves in our riches, talents, positions, and power. So much so, we begin to think we are the best and know everything.
That is why pride is the root of all rebellion. Satan’s sin was to rebel against the authority and power of God. He wanted to be God without submitting to the authority of God. And this is humanity’s real downfall. Today, humanity has become arrogant, proud of its advancements in science and technology. We’ve sent spaceships to the moon and now to Mars. We think the world’s problems can be solved solely by our own intelligence and ingenuity. We no longer feel the need for God. We lack reverence for mystery and are unaware of our limitations. This is the root of secularism and humanism. New Age philosophy is even worse, proclaiming that we ourselves are gods–there is no need for God because we are manifestations of the divine. Thus, God has left man to himself, and humanity is destined for destruction because of pride, arrogance, and a false sense of autonomy
In contrast, the key to wisdom and love is humility. This is what Sirach counsels us. “The heart of a sensible man will reflect on parables, an attentive ear is the sage’s dream.” Those with a humble heart are always willing to listen and learn–from God and from others. They recognize their limitations in knowledge and understanding. A good leader is always ready to listen to advice, seek counsel, and remain open to constructive feedback. He is not defensive or argumentative but considers all perspectives to find the best path forward
What is the key to humility – in life, in giving and in receiving? First, we must recognise that in God’s eyes, we are all equal in dignity, even if not equal in talents and resources. The second reading from Hebrews says, “what you have come to is Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem where the millions of angels have gathered for the festival, with the whole Church in which everyone is a ‘first-born son’ and a citizen of heaven.” We are all first-born sons and daughters of God. God sees us as children. In earth and in heaven, God does not see us differently. High or low, big or small, rich or poor, beautiful or ugly are the measures of man. God sees the heart and our dignity as His children. Of course, we do not yet fully grasp this truth, for we are still ignorant and imperfect. The author of Hebrews writes, “You have come to God Himself, the supreme Judge, and been placed with the spirits of the saints who have been made perfect; and to Jesus, the mediator who brings a new covenant.”
When we recognize that we are all God’s children, equal in every way, then we will appreciate those who are less privileged than us and be humble and grateful for what we have. Sirach says, “The greater you are, the more you should behave humbly, and then you will find favour with the Lord; for great though the power of the Lord is, he accepts the homage of the humble.” Indeed, why should we be proud of ourselves simply because we are wealthy, influential and powerful when all we have is due to the generosity and mercy of God? Hard work alone would not have brought us to where we are today if not for the many people and opportunities the Lord has provided for us. Therefore, the more we have, the humbler we should become. As Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.” Indeed, without God’s favour, we are nothing. So there is nothing to boast about except God’s mercy. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not those who commend themselves that are approved, but those whom the Lord commends.” (2 Cor 10:17f)
When we recognize that we are one with our fellowmen, that we are all recipients of God’s love and mercy, then we no longer separate ourselves from others – rich or poor. The psalmist says, “You poured down, O God, a generous rain: when your people were starved you gave them new life. It was there that your people found a home, prepared in your goodness, O God, for the poor.” Having received all from God, Jesus reminds us to treat everyone with respect and love, regardless of their status. Hence, He said, “When you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.”
In truth, both the poor and the rich are meant for the salvation of each other. In God’s eyes, no one is richer or poorer except in the capacity of the heart. The poor are given to us for our salvation, for they teach us generosity, compassion and keep our hearts connected to God and to humanity. The poor give us a joy and freedom that money cannot buy, nor material success and pleasures can give. If God allows the poor and the sick to exist in the world, it is for the sake of our salvation. The rich receive from the poor just as the poor receive from the rich. When the poor are helped by those who are able, they encounter God’s love and mercy and come to believe in His love. They, too, are saved through our love and generosity.
So when we give or share our resources, we must always remain humble in service. The psalmist says, “The just shall rejoice at the presence of God, they shall exult and dance for joy. O sing to the Lord, make music to his name; rejoice in the Lord, exult at his presence. Father of the orphan, defender of the widow, such is God in his holy place. God gives the lonely a home to live in; he leads the prisoners forth into freedom.” We are simply agents and instruments of God’s love and mercy to one another – whether rich or poor, ordinary or distinguished. But one thing is clear, “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.” (Lk 12:48)
Humility means allowing God to decide where we should be placed in life. It is not our choice to be who or where we are, but we can be sure that wherever He places us in life, it is for a good reason. We must be humble in accepting His plan for us – just as Mary accepted being the humble handmaid of the Lord, and Elizabeth accepted her role as the mother of the forerunner to the Messiah, not the Messiah Himself. And like Elizabeth, we should rejoice with those who are apparently more privileged than us, as she said to Mary, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” (Lk 1:42-45)
Best Practices for Using the Daily Scripture Reflections
- Encounter God through the spirit of prayer and the scripture by reflecting and praying the Word of God daily. The purpose is to bring you to prayer and to a deeper union with the Lord on the level of the heart.
- Daily reflections when archived will lead many to accumulate all the reflections of the week and pray in one sitting. This will compromise your capacity to enter deeply into the Word of God, as the tendency is to read for knowledge rather than a prayerful reading of the Word for the purpose of developing a personal and affective relationship with the Lord.
- It is more important to pray deeply, not read widely. The current reflections of the day would be more than sufficient for anyone who wants to pray deeply and be led into an intimacy with the Lord.
Note: You may share this reflection with someone. However, please note that reflections are not archived online nor will they be available via email request.
Written by His Eminence, Cardinal William SC Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.
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