22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 29, 2010

22.c.2010.stmb.humility.and.welcome

Sir 3:17-18,20,28-29; Heb 12:18-19,22-24; Luke 14,1,7-14

We can understand the first part of today's gospel regarding humility in variety of ways. Some of us can even come to a simple conclusion that  Jesus is encouraging us: to play the power game, wherever it takes place, more shrewdly so we can get ahead of others and avoid  being like buffoons who set themselves up for embarrassment in front of others.

          But then He clarifies his advice. In his eyes humility is not a strategy to receive greater recognition and influence. Rather humility is knowledge that all people are cherished children of God. Any standards and practices of discrimination which would diminish that should be overthrown. We should accept others as equals and pay more attention to those who for variety reasons are more challenged by the circumstances of their lives. Righteousness, not social position or the esteem of others, should be a driving force of our lives. God wants us to look at others the way He does. He wants us to welcome them in our midst and to make them a part of our community.  

          We all probably would agree that these are fine words. But the proof of our understanding and acceptance of these words are in our actions. So to test it let us ask ourselves some very simple questions. For example:

·       Does a physical space of our church allows for those who are elderly or with disabilities to participate fully in the life of our parish?

·        Are we a part of liturgical ministries or other ministries of our community?

·       Do we value the presence and the gifts of others who come and worship with us here? Do we take time to get to know them?

·       What do we do about those who are sick or homebound or who grief or who are in prison, about those who are marginalized or in need in any other way?

          As long as we see other people only as an abstract or impersonal demographic or a menace or a stepping stone, but not as sacred and holy children of God, we luck humility Jesus talks about, and our worship of God is not authentic.