TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C
Sir 3:17-18,20,28-29; Ps 68
Heb. 12:18-19,22-24a; Lk 14:1,7-14
CONDUCT YOUR AFFAIRS WITH HUMILITY
The readings of this Sunday point to the virtue of humility. What is humility and in the context of the reading of today, what should we learn about humility?
The first reading for this Sunday is from Sirach 3. This chapter can be divided into three; the first part concerns one of the most important obligations of a child, the duty to honour and serve one’s father and mother. The second part deals with exhortations on humility and then some warnings regarding pride in the third part. But what is humility?
Humility can be described as the inner disposition of a person to be able to view himself accurately in terms of his talents and abilities and at the same time acknowledges his own flaws, limitations and weaknesses. This is beautifully put when the first reading says, “…seek not, into things beyond your strength search not” (Sir 3:21).
The one who is humble has a realistic knowledge of himself; of what he can do and what he cannot do, accepts it and is not ashamed of it. When this happens there is no danger of either superiority complex or inferiority complex.
The humble man accepts the fact of his mortality. In fact, humility, points directly to this fact that we are dust and mortal. The root word, humus, means dust or earth. In humility, we learn not to think too highly of ourselves. This helps us to recognize God’s sovereignty and power over us. We are thankful that even in our nothingness, God has blessed us above all things and gives us his Spirit. The Psalmist wonders, “what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honour. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” (Ps 8:4-9).
The first sentence of our reading for today says, “my son, perform your duties in humility…” (Sir 3:17) the immediate context of this admonition would refer to the obligation to honour, respect and care for one’s parent. It is a sign of great humility to care for our parents who have cared for us and natured us into men and woman. They sometimes would have to alter their own goals and plans just because they want to care for us and desire the best for us.
Pope Francis pleads, “please care for old people because they are the presence of history, the presence of the family. And it is thanks to them we are here. Please do not leave them alone”. The first part of Sirach 3 lists the blessings that accompany those who honour and care for their parents. This is a wake-up call for all of us today who feel that the elderly have become or are becoming an over bearing burden to us. It is disappointing that there are discussions in this generations’ young people regarding the fact that they do not have responsibility for their parents. Pope Francis indicated that not to care for the elderly is a grave sin. We should not forget that it is the only commandment with a blessing.
It is also an act of humility to be reflective and attentive. To be reflective on the promptings and guidance (often in proverbs and anecdotes) of those who may be wiser or more experienced than us . This reflection on the thoughts of the wise, help to discern good from evil. To be attentive to the counsel and teachings of others is also a sign of humility. Humility seeks what he lacks from others, in fact humility knows that it never knows it all. A humble person is open to learn from others.
Above all, we should strive to be as humble as Jesus was. He who was in the form of God but did not count equality with God but was obedient to become man and to die for us. We too must avoid the temptation of pride, to seek to be the centre of attention and focus and to dominate others. We must remember to always be lowly.
For those who are humble they will find favour before men. They will receive great inheritance and knowledge of experience. Human experience has shown that people prefer to leave their properties and riches for those who are humble and meek. Apart from that it is easy and almost natural to be kind towards the humble and the meek. Also, the elderly enriches the humble with the wisdom of their old age. This knowledge is so helpful that the humble avoid some mistakes because they allow themselves to be guided by the old. Humility attracts good things. St Francis De Sales said, “Humility makes our lives acceptable to God, meekness makes us acceptable to men.”
As we strive on our Christian journey, may the Holy Spirit produce the fruit of humility in our souls.
I propose for your devotion a prayer of humility attributed to Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1868-1930):
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Amen.
God bless you
BY Rev. Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
