Twenty Second Sunday of the Year: C: August 28, 2022

 HUMILITY, THE MOTHER OF ALL VIRTUES

First Reading: Sirach 3: 17-20 and 28-29

Second Reading: Hebrews 12: 18-19 and 22-29

Gospel Reading: Luke 14: 1 and 7-14

   *First reading is from the book of Sirach. A description about the great virtue of humility is given. It tells us that a humble person is open to the promptings of the Lord God and never rejects wisdom, no matter where it comes from. Humility is the sign of true greatness. The greater a person is, the more humble he/she should be. The message is: be humble and you will find favour with the Lord God. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Hebrews. A comparison between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion is given. It elaborates that, Sinai is the place where the old Covenant was made whereas Zion stands for the heavenly Jerusalem which is the goal of Christian pilgrimage. It is in this heavenly city where many angels, saints and Jesus Himself will be present.

Whoever humbles himself will be exalted                                                                 Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Jesus and His disciples are invited to a Pharisee's house for dinner. Many prominent people from the town are invited too. Most of them are eager to take the best available seats because each of them considers himself to be more important than all others. Observing this, Jesus teaches His disciples a lesson in humility. He instructs them the following: When you are invited to a function, do not occupy places of honour. Because in case a person more worthy than you is invited, the host may come and request you to give the honourable place to that person. Consequently you will be put in an embarrassing and humiliating situation. However, if you are occupying a less honourable place and the host requests you to occupy a more honourable place, you will be honoured in the presence of everyone present. Hence the virtue of humility is of great importance in the life of a follower of Christ. It ranks right up there with the great Gospel values. Thus for Jesus, to lose one's life is to find it. The last shall be the first and the humble shall be exalted. 

"Do you wish to raise yourself: Begin by humbling yourself." - St. Augustine

"We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility." - Rabindranath Tagore

"It is in being humble that our love becomes real, devoted and ardent." - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta