READINGS FOR THE 22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C, SUNDAY, 28TH AUGUST, 2022
First Reading: Ecclesiasticus 3:17-20, 28-29
Psalm: 67
Second Reading: Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24
Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-14
REFLECTION BY FR CORNELIUS NWAOGWUGWU, CM
OUR NEED FOR HUMILITY
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
A sincere welcome to the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C. My reflection today, focuses on our need for humility.
Thinking about the seeming lack of humility today, it is unbelievable to think that many people seem to perceive humility as weakness and lack of efficiency. Some people seem to see a humble person as a pushover. Our generation seems not to recognise greatness in humility. Today, the virtue of humility seems to be taken for granted. Yet, we have a great need for humility. Through the lens of humility, we understand the greatness of faith, peace, love, modesty, reverence, patience, meekness, obedience, goodness, respect, compassion and gentleness in our service to God and humanity.
It is against this background that the Book of Ecclesiasticus 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.”
(Ecclesiasticus 3:17-20, 28-29).
To explain more on our need for humility, Jesus said in today’s Gospel: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour.” Rather, Jesus recommends that “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. Again, Jesus said: “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:1, 7-14).
Jesus further said in the Gospel of Matthew: “Whoever humbles himself like a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 18:4). Jesus said: “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.” (Matthew 11:29).
Reflecting on the book of Sirach, I believe that if we are humble, we will find favour with God, and others will love us. (Sirach 3:17-18). In other words, it takes the virtue of humility to radiate joy to those in need and remain in God’s love. The springboard of our call to humble service to those experiencing difficulties is love.
The Gospel according to John captured this notion clearly. Jesus said to his disciples, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete.” (John 15:9-11).
The letter to the Hebrews, gives us an insight into our need for humility in our service to those experiencing challenges. It reminds us that Jesus out of love was lowly, particularly in his suffering and death for our salvation (Hebrew 2:5-18). We need to follow Christ’s example of humility in our relationships with the less fortunate members of our society. (Hebrew 12:18-24).
Christ-like humility leads us to a generous sharing of our gifts with the needy. Our love and generosity to those experiencing challenges present humility as a virtue. Humility opens our hearts and our hands generously to Jesus living within the less privileged in our society.
In respect of this, Jesus 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.” (Luke 14:1, 7-14).
Inspired by these teachings of Jesus Christ, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac and Blessed Fredrick Ozanam, associated themselves with the poor whom St. Vincent called “our Lords and Masters.” St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac and Blessed Fredrick Ozanam followed the command of Jesus and shared some virtues in common. They had great passion for the virtue of humility. For them, true humility is based on the awareness that everything we have is a gift from God. Therefore, we have no reason to elevate ourselves above others. We must use God’s gifts to us to help ourselves and help others to experience joy.
Further to this, Jonathan Lockwood Huie, an American motivational speaker, author of self-awareness books and a well-known “Philosopher of Happiness” said, “My greatest service to others is living humbly, and radiating happiness and joy to those around me.” Psalm 67 expresses God’s affection for the poor. It says, “In your goodness, O God, you prepared a home for the poor.”
To enhance our professional and voluntary proficiency in our services to the poor, we need to embrace the virtue of humility. In support of this view, St. Augustine said: “Humility is so necessary for Christian perfection that among all the ways to reach perfection, humility is first, humility is second, and humility is third.” He added, “Humility makes men angels, and pride makes angels devils.”
Further to this view, St. Bernard declared, “Pride sends man from the highest elevation to the lowest abyss, but humility raises him from the lowest abyss to the highest elevation.”
These teachings on humility, postulate a huge challenge for us. We are called to live humbly as Jesus lived and to commit ourselves to a better world for the good of humanity. This will help us to develop a deep conviction of God’s kindness and merciful love.
We are invited to humble ourselves and to give all honour to God for whatever we are and whatever we may have achieved. Humility helps us to realize that without God we can do nothing. We are also called to realize that God is the centre, author and finisher of our lives.
Humility enables us to realize that, we are sinners in need of God’s forgiveness and mercy. It takes a humble person to kneel before God and ask for His mercy and forgiveness.
As a virtue, humility helps us to admit the truth that, we do not know everything. As human beings, we are limited. We are not perfect but we are striving to be perfect in our service to the poor.
May God bless us with the virtue of humility now and forever. Amen.
Fr. Cornelius Nwaogwugwu, CM.