HUMBLE YOURSELF - 22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (8/28/2022)

22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
August 28, 2022

Sirach 3:17-18,20,28-29
Psalm 68
Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24
Luke 14:7-14

HUMBLE YOURSELF

A friend named Charles, a spiritual writer and teacher, tells this story on himself. He says that in prayer one day he felt the Lord say to him, “Charles, humble yourself.” Charles tried to protest, “But Lord, I’m humble.” Then the Lord said rather insistently, “Charles, either you humble yourself, or I will have to humble you!” Charles says he thought about it for a moment and then responded, “Lord, having seen what a thorough job you do in these situations, I think I would rather humble myself.” Wise decision and a good lesson! And that’s what our liturgy teaches us today.

SIRACH

Our first reading is from the Old Testament Book of Sirach, dated around 180 BC. This selection is a teaching for a young person on the virtue of humility. The first few verses promise favor with God and with men if one acts with humility. “My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of good gifts. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.”

Not only God favors humble people – we all do! Nobody likes to be around a proud, self-centered person. The Responsorial, Psalm 68, emphasizes that God gives a home to the poor and forsaken.

GOSPEL

Luke’s gospel shows a special concern for the poor and disadvantaged – lepers, Samaritans, publicans, etc. In today’s selection, Jesus is eating a meal in a Pharisee’s home and teaches two important lessons. The first lesson is: take the lowest place at table. It’s a lot better to be invited to move to a higher place, rather than have to suffer the shame of having to vacate your place to accommodate someone more prestigious.

The second lesson is: invite those who cannot pay you back. You will get rewarded by God himself at the resurrection of the just. I am reminded of Fr. Rick Thomas, a Jesuit priest with a mission in El Paso, Texas. He and his community took this gospel literally and prepared a Christmas dinner for the poor who lived in the garbage dump in Juarez, Mexico. They were rewarded by experiencing a miraculous multiplication of food (described in Miracles in El Paso? By Rene’ Laurentin, Servant Books, 1982).

HEBREWS

Our second reading today is from Hebrews. It contrasts the giving of the Old Law on Mount Sinai with the New Law on Mount Zion. The description here is of the kingdom of heaven. The former, Mount Sinai, took place amid frightening circumstances; the latter, Mount Zion, is amidst great joy and celebration. This latter depiction is a beautiful glimpse of heavenly worship, centered on Jesus, “the mediator of a new covenant.”

LIVE FOR THE KINGDOM

Today’s liturgy really reflects the Beatitudes – the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, the persecuted – all these will see their lot reversed in the kingdom of God. Only those who have the faith and hope to seek God’s kingdom will have the motivation to live humble lives. “For the kingdom of God does not mean food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 14:17).