Reflection for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
“My Son, perform your tasks in
meekness; then you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.” This is how the
book of Sirach introduced the first reading of today. The readings for this
Sunday exalt humility. It is the most excellent virtue. It makes us loved my
men, and favoured by God. Humility is the ladder with which we climb to
greatness: “The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself” (Sirach
3:18). The mysteries of God are revealed to the humble (Lk 10:21).
In the Gospel Jesus observed how
those invited were placing themselves at positions of honour. He told them a
parable to show that whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever
humbles himself will be exalted. It is a natural instinct for man to seek his
own glory, or at least to impose it on others. It gives a momentary euphoria of
victory over a competitive society. That is equally why we tend to associate
with people who give us this sense of achievement.
The sound of Silence reveals that
pride is noisy—it does not produce authentic sound. It feeds on external show,
and its weak integrity is sustained on the shoulders of others. So the proud
man rushes to the high table to be seen, and gets angry if not recognized. He
thirsts for acclamation. If he calls for a party, he invites only those who
would boost his ego. But soon the noise dies down...
Silence dawns, and takes the
proud man unawares! Like in the parable of Jesus, suddenly the proud man is
asked to give up his seat for the humble man who was seated at lower end. Blessed are the gentle; they shall inherit
the earth (Mt 5:4). Imagine the shame and disgrace of the man as he moves
from the place of honour to the lower seat, while the humble man is graciously exalted.
He pulled down the proud from their seats
and raised up the lowly (Lk 1:52).
So we come to Jesus, the mediator
of the new covenant. In Him we are all raised up to the status of “First Born”
of the City of the living God. We have all been bestowed honour in Christ
Jesus, who humbled Himself for our sake. “Humility towards one another must be
the garment you all wear constantly, because God opposes proud but accords his
favour to the humble” (1Pet 5:5).
Humility is as strong as silence! It has its roots in Christ Jesus.
Humility is the step we must take in order to climb the heights we aspire.
Fr
Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Immaculate
Conception Catholic Church,
Abule-Oshun,
Lagos.
September
1st, 2019.
