Ordinary 22

The Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; Psalm 68; Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a; Luke 14:1, 7-14

Where did Jesus sit at table in the Pharisee’s house? Was he the honored guest or was he just one of a number of people invited in the presence of someone who was held in esteem? Did Jesus initially sit in the lowest place as he taught us to do? And what does it mean to take the lowest place?

Humility is a risky virtue because it is easy to live out a false sense of humility, an overly sentimental lack of unworthiness. I find such a personality more self-pitying and hungry for attention rather than humble.  Often experienced in people who draw attention to themselves in overt religious mannerisms. A person who is humble does not draw attention to themselves in any manner.

So what does it mean to live out the virtue of humility?

When reflecting on humility we tend toward underestimating our self.  Is it out of the fear of crossing the line into the deadly sin of pride? It ends up being a Catch – 22 situation, a spiritual trap. If I overestimate myself, I’m prideful; if I underestimate myself I am not being honest. In trying to assess ourselves we may find it difficult to evaluate where we fit in the pecking order.  But then we need to ask, whose pecking order?  …ours?   …that of other people?  …God’s?  But if we are concerned about the pecking order then are we living out humility?  It strikes me as a vicious circle.

The counsel of Sirach opens a door to our understanding. He teaches his young protege: “What is too sublime for you, seek not, into things beyond your strength search not.”

In other words, don’t overreach, don’t overestimate yourself but also don’t underestimate yourself.  “Humility makes us real,” the monk, Thomas Merton said.  he 19th century British Baptist preacher, Charles H. Spurgeon said, “Humility is to make a right estimate of oneself.” We must not deny the gifts that God has generously given to each of us. We must be ready to acknowledge all the fascinating elements that contribute to making us who we are. But – there is always a but isn’t there – we need to be honest and authentic about what we are not and where our good qualities and talents all come from.  Being humble is not about our worthlessness. That is an insult to God who created us good and worthy of himself.

Humility is honest and acknowledges the truth about ourselves, no more, but no less.  Humility is more about what is unsaid by us and unseen by others then what we say or do.  For our quiet, humble gratitude for God’s generosity in our lives should always be unseen.

So, where do you sit at table? 

Yet the more important question maybe, why do you sit where you sit?