The WORD today reminds me that I should always be humble.
People nowadays tend to accept arrogance if backed up with talent or credentials. The current demeanor of people in the government does not help. People tend to be more forgiving or accepting if arrogance is backed up by something, or is founded by something. Di bale nang mayabang o bastos, magaling naman kasi talaga. Or some would say, at least siya, mayabang kasi magaling. Yung iba mayabang lang kahit walang galing. That's how a lot behave. That is why we tend to be amazed at people who remain humble despite their talents, fame and success. But this scarcity is actually what God wants from us.
The readings today emphasize humility. In the first reading, we are encouraged to be humble as we live, and to be more humble as we accomplish greater things. The greater we are, the more humble we should become. Not the opposite that we get in this world. In the gospel, Jesus himself taught about humility – being humble enough and not wanting attention to ourselves, even if we rightfully deserve it.
They say humility is not about thinking less of yourself, but rather, thinking of yourself less.
Feeling inferior is different from humility. God loves us, and there is no reason why we should think of ourselves as lesser than others. We may have different talents and gifts, but God is the one who gave us all those things. Rather, we should be happy and confident with ourselves because we are children of God, but this does not give us the right to be boastful and proud. No matter what we have accomplished on earth should not give us a right to think more of ourselves. Rather, as stated in the reading, the more we accomplish on earth, the greater we are, the more humble we should be. Humility – thinking of ourselves less, thinking of other people more.
As we live this life, we want to accomplish things. We want to make our parents, families and friends proud. In fact, we should shine bright… not for ourselves, but for God. However, being accomplished and successful does not give us the right to impose what we want to other people, to think that we are always right, and to want our way to always be done. As we become more successful, the more we should realize that it is only by God's grace that we achieve what we do, and it should make us feel humbled with what God is doing in our lives.
What are my achievements in life? What are my greatest accomplishments? How do I feel have I achieved these things? Do I credit myself, my hardwork, my talent and my perseverance? Or do I realize and acknowledge God’s hands in all these?
May we learn the virtue of humility – and learn to submit to God, to our parents, to our superiors, to our leaders, and treat them with respect, even if we may feel we know more, even if we may feel we are right, even if we feel we deserve to be in their shoes.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for reminding me how much you love me. Thank you for giving me challenges that help me grow as a person, as a servant of God. Thank you for blessing me and helping my be successful. Sorry for the times I don't have humility. Sorry for being arrogant and for forgetting all that you have done for me. Sorry for thinking so much of myself. Lord, I pray for humility. May I always remember how much you love me, and feel confident about myself, but may I also be humble in my life, in my service. Lord, purify me as I live, as I serve you. May I always do my best to excel and to shine for you. And may I always give you back the glory and remain humble all throughout. Amen.
Blessed Sunday!
In Christ,
-g-
Daily Readings
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 126
Reading 1
My child, conduct your affairs with humility,
and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.
Humble yourself the more, the greater you are,
and you will find favor with God.
What is too sublime for you, seek not,
into things beyond your strength search not.
The mind of a sage appreciates proverbs,
and an attentive ear is the joy of the wise.
Water quenches a flaming fire,
and alms atone for sins.
and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.
Humble yourself the more, the greater you are,
and you will find favor with God.
What is too sublime for you, seek not,
into things beyond your strength search not.
The mind of a sage appreciates proverbs,
and an attentive ear is the joy of the wise.
Water quenches a flaming fire,
and alms atone for sins.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (cf. 11b) God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
The just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD.
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance;
you restored the land when it languished;
your flock settled in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy.
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
The just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD.
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance;
you restored the land when it languished;
your flock settled in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy.
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
Reading 2
Brothers and sisters:
You have not approached that which could be touched
and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness
and storm and a trumpet blast
and a voice speaking words such that those who heard
begged that no message be further addressed to them.
No, you have approached Mount Zion
and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
and countless angels in festal gathering,
and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven,
and God the judge of all,
and the spirits of the just made perfect,
and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,
and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.
You have not approached that which could be touched
and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness
and storm and a trumpet blast
and a voice speaking words such that those who heard
begged that no message be further addressed to them.
No, you have approached Mount Zion
and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
and countless angels in festal gathering,
and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven,
and God the judge of all,
and the spirits of the just made perfect,
and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,
and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord,
and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord,
and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.
He told a parable to those who had been invited,
noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
"When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not recline at table in the place of honor.
A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,
'Give your place to this man,'
and then you would proceed with embarrassment
to take the lowest place.
Rather, when you are invited,
go and take the lowest place
so that when the host comes to you he may say,
'My friend, move up to a higher position.'
Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.
For every one who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Then he said to the host who invited him,
"When you hold a lunch or a dinner,
do not invite your friends or your brothers
or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors,
in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.
For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.
He told a parable to those who had been invited,
noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
"When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not recline at table in the place of honor.
A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,
'Give your place to this man,'
and then you would proceed with embarrassment
to take the lowest place.
Rather, when you are invited,
go and take the lowest place
so that when the host comes to you he may say,
'My friend, move up to a higher position.'
Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.
For every one who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Then he said to the host who invited him,
"When you hold a lunch or a dinner,
do not invite your friends or your brothers
or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors,
in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.
For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
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