20220828 HUMILITY OF THE GREAT
28 August, 2022, 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 12:18-19,22-24 © |
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 and a blood for purification which pleads more insistently than Abel’s.
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 OF THE GREAT
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [Eccl 3:19-21, 30-31; Ps 68; Heb 12:18-19, 22-24; Lk 14:1, 7-14]
Today’s scripture readings are timely, following the Holy Father’s appointment of me as a cardinal of the Universal Church yesterday. But the readings apply not just to me only, but to all who hold positions of influence and authority, whether within the Church or in secular life. Understandably, the office of a cardinal is considered a high position in the Church as it ranks second only to the Holy Father, and the cardinal has the grave responsibility of electing the next pope. Of course, until then, he has the duty of helping the Holy Father to care for the Universal Church.
Due to his special position in the Church, he is taken seriously for what he says. Being not just a public figure but a world figure, it therefore behoves him to be conscious of his dignity and his position, lest he gives cause to scandals and confusion because of what he says or does. What he says or does could have global impact and sensationalized by the media for better or for worse. Hence, respect and dignity are accorded not so much to him as a person but to his office. Thus, he should never be carried away by the honour given to him. He must not become egoistic and think that people are honouring him as a person, but that they are giving due respect to his office of which he represents. One must never forget that he is representing the Holy Father and the Church. So what he says or does must be reflective of the Church.
Consequently, those of us who are in position must remain humble. Regardless whether we are cardinals or otherwise, every position of authority requires us to be humble. Sirach advises us, “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.” Indeed, the higher we are, the humbler we are expected to be because we are all called to be servant leaders. We are called to be models of humble service and conduct.
Indeed, Jesus warned the religious leaders not to think too highly of themselves. He gave the example of someone being invited for a meal in the house. Most of us, as the Lord observed, seek the high places of honour. We feel great about ourselves and feel that we should be seated where we are recognized as important. Indeed, some of us are desperate to be recognized and known. But the Lord underscored that it is not we who should place ourselves in life. He said, “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.'” Pride and arrogance is an overestimation of oneself, one’s talents and position.
Rather, we must take our position in life as an honour and a responsibility bestowed by God. It is not something we earned, or something we deserved. Our position in society, our role in life and in the community, our talents and our skills are all given by God in accordance with His plan. We must never think that we are the best person, the smartest and the best leader in our community or in the world. God chose us in very mysterious ways, often surprising the expectations of the world. This is the same sentiments expressed by St Paul when he wrote, “Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God.” (1 Cor 1:26-29) We should not be envious when others are promoted or seated at a higher place than us. It is God who placed us accordingly, like the host who seats his guests.
Truly, we must be on guard against pride and an obsession with our office and position in a way that concerns itself with boosting our ego and our image. “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.” A proud man is focused on himself, his position, his recognition and his glory. He is not concerned so much about upholding the office he holds on behalf of the institution or organization that he is answerable to but he is more concerned about himself. When we are proud, we become demanding, easily slighted and seek to be served, to be adored and flattered. A proud and egoistic person does not know himself. He is always insecure. He is self-serving. This was true with the religious leaders during the time of our Lord. This can also be true for those of us who hold positions in life as well.
However, a humble person recognizes that he is just an ordinary man like the rest. We all share in the same humanity. We are made of flesh and blood, have feelings and desire happiness and love in life. We need proper food and accommodation to function properly. The author of Hebrews describes the future of humanity. He wrote, “What you have come to is nothing known to the senses. 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.” Indeed, in the eyes of God, we are all equal. We are all citizens of heaven, sons and daughters of God. In heaven, we are all equal and are all loved by God. In heaven, we do not distinguish ourselves as greater or lesser than others. We are all brothers and sisters.
What distinguishes us is our calling to work in the vineyard of the Lord. But beyond these basics, we are all called to different vocations according to what the Lord has graced us. We have nothing much to boast except God’s graciousness and mercy. Without God’s grace, we cannot be who we are today. All our success, achievements and glory come from God alone. So if there is anything to boast, we can only boast of the Lord. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Cor 1:31) It does not matter which office we are appointed to in life. What ultimately matters is how we live out our vocation in life. In being true to what the Lord has chosen us to do in life, we perfect ourselves in grace and holiness. Indeed, the reward of heaven is given to those who have perfected themselves. The letter of Hebrews says, “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.”
One sure way of growing in perfection is when are humble to accept our position in life so that we can accept others as well regardless of their status. Jesus said, “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.” Some of us are too proud to be regarded as less than who we think we are. In truth, we are all poor, crippled, lame and blind in some ways. That God accepts us for who we are and invites us to His banquet, means that we too are called to accept others in the same way.
Hence, the Lord invites us to do the same by inviting others into our lives, even those we think are below our status. In God’s eyes, we are all equal. The truly humble person therefore is able to enjoy the company of all, regardless whether they are of high or low standing, educated or uneducated; and make all feel at ease with him. This is because he is identified with them as human beings and embraces them as brothers and sisters. The basic human things and human rights are common to all. A humble man in spite of his position should become less conscious of his position, and thinks less of himself and more of others. When we are at ease with everyone, great or small, then we are truly humble because we feel we are one with our fellow brothers and sisters. When that happens, we no longer feel separated from others but recognize that we are all one in Christ and loved by the Lord.
Written by His Eminence, William Cardinal Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.
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