BE GENTLE AND HUMBLE

XXII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Luke 14:1,7-14

Jesus was invited by one of the leading Pharisees with one purpose in mind: “they watched him closely”. Similarly, Jesus looked intently at everything around him and “noticed how they picked the places of honour.” Such an incident led Jesus to teach a lesson about humility. The eagerness to get honours and to occupy the top places may lead us to public humiliation. Moved by a bit of self-respect, we must show some restraint and be truthful about ourselves, aware of our shortcomings and recognise others’ value. When moved by pride, we put ourselves in the centre and on top of everything, despising everybody else and putting them at our service. Jesus advises the guests to have some basic good manners. And Jesus concludes the parable about the guests fighting for the best places with a saying that sets the pattern of behaviour for his disciples: “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Jesus accepted the invitation of the Pharisee, even though he did not approve of such banquets, which were a pure waste of money. It would be better to think of the poor: “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, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.”

In connection with the gospel, the first reading of this Sunday’s liturgy (Sir 3:19-21) advises us about the greatness of being gentle and humble:

My son, be gentle in carrying out your business,

  and you will be better loved than a lavish giver.

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.