Santhiya Philomone csc
Readings: Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; Heb 12:18-19, 22-24; Lk 14:1,7-14
In today’s first reading we are invited to do our daily work in meekness. We see God afflicts the proud and glorifies the humble. Today our Lord teaches us that however great and mighty we may be if we are not humble, we will not find favour in the sight of God.
Similarly in the Gospel reading, Jesus explains to his disciples the value of humility through the parable of the wedding banquet. He says, ‘everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted’ (Lk14:11).
Jesus wants us to be exalted! He wants us to be noticed by others. He wants our light of goodness to shine for all to see and for that light to make a difference. But he wants it done in truth, not by presenting a false personality.
He wants the real “me” to shine forth. And that is humility. Humility is a virtue that enables us to be real. It enables us to cut through any false personality we may have and simply be who we are. It enables us to be comfortable with our good qualities as well as our failures. Humility is nothing but being honest and true about our lives and being comfortable with that person.
When I introspect I too experience that my pride and self-importance are underlying attitudes that lead me to failure. But when I humble myself, I feel the deep love of Jesus in my life.