Reflection:    

Our theme for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – “We bear the nature and character of Jesus when we are humble at heart,” is a fitting reminder for all those who wish to be true disciples of Jesus.

Rightfully, for nothing is more pleasing to our God than sincere humility, an attitude which could eventually determine our eternal destination.

Both the 1st Reading and the Gospel provide object lessons in humility and come with corresponding promised rewards, as demonstrated in this passage: “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another for God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble. So, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,” (1Pt 5:5-6).

Every follower of the Lord is called to be humble, for that is what Jesus is.  To be humble is to know who we are in relation to God.  Our posture should be to come as beggars before God, realizing we are not even worthy to be noticed by Him.  We honestly accept our nothingness and limitations, as we profess our need for Christ in our life, and more so, for the life hereafter.

And as we help build His kingdom here on earth, we should strive to live harmoniously with one another and in humility, willingly submitting ourselves to others in doing what we are rightfully tasked to do.  We have to follow Jesus’ own stance of refusing to presume upon His own exalted position; though Son of God and Himself God, He totally and humbly submitted Himself in complete obedience to His Father’s will.  So we are to submit ourselves to those who have legitimate authority over us – “Remind the believers to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and to be ready for every good work.  Tell them to insult no one; they must not be quarrelsome but gentle and understanding with everyone,” (Titus 3:1-2).

Life on earth is competitive.  From childhood, we are taught and encouraged to excel.  When we succeed, we lay claim to what we think we rightfully deserve – the reward for a job well done.  But this is not necessarily applicable to our spiritual life.  We may well be boasting when we, like the self-righteous Pharisee, say to ourselves: I am not like the others – greedy, dishonest, adulterous, corrupt – I go to mass every day, I give tithes, I don’t criticize others.

We should curb our tendency to crave human recognition, for as James 3:13-15 states: “Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.  Wisdom of this kind does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.”  These are the attitude Jesus condemns because it fails to see the truth that salvation cannot be deserved and cannot be claimed.  Salvation is pure gift from God, and is meant for who are pleasing and worthy in His eyes, and those who realize the need for Christ’s redeeming power and humbles himself: “O God, be merciful to me a sinner,” (Lk 18:13).

Let us all imitate the example as lived by His Holiness, Pope Francis.  He is known to have declined the benefits of his exalted position, mingles with the crowd, shuns pretentions, including the use luxury cars, and sleeps in a simple bedroom.  The Pope leads by example. Although the spiritual head of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, he remains accessible, and considers himself an ordinary “sinner” who, like the rest of his flock, is being called by God.

God’s Kingdom is for the humble who acknowledges who God is in their lives and recognizes that only God is great.  The proud and arrogant, those who aspire after honor, wealth, acclaim and power at the expense of spiritual values, these are the ones likely not to be invited to the banquet of the kingdom, for as the word tells us, they have already received their reward on earth.  “Thus by being humble, we are in better position to lay claim to the God’s word and promise:”. . . 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,” (Sir.3:17-18).

Reflection Questions:
1. How do I consider myself in relation to others?
2. In what ways can I improve and grow in humility?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
September 1, 2013 (Sun)    Sir 3:17,18,28,29/Ps 68:4-7,10,11/Heb 12:18,19,22-24/
Lk 14:1,7-14
September 2, 2013 (Mon)    1Thes 4:13-18/Ps 96:1,3,4,5,11,12,13/Lk 4:16-30
September 3, 2013 (Tues)   1 Thes 5:1-6,9-11/Ps 27:1,4,13,14/LK 4:31-37
September 4, 2013 (Wed)   Col 1:1-8/Ps 52:10,11/Lk 4:38-44
September 5, 2013 (Thur)   Col 1:9-14/Ps 98:2-6/Lk 5:1-11
September 6, 2013 (Fri)      Col 1:15-20/Ps 100:1-5/Lk 5:33-39
September 7, 2013 (Sat)     Col 1:21-23/Ps 54:3-4,6,8/Lk 6:1-5

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ.  Read your Bible daily!”

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