It Pays To Be Humble (Sirach 3:17-20, 28-29/Ps.68/Heb.12:18-19,22-24/Luke 14:1,7-14)


The readings of this twenty second sunday in the ordinary time focuses on humility. The admonition of Sirach in the first reading is one that is on point and very essential in our own time now where pride is destroying and bringing a lot of people down. We must try as much as we can to learn from the parable that Jesus told His disciples in the gospel reading today to always humble ourselves so that we will be exalted in due time.

What is Humility
It is the state of being humble. Lack of pride. Not being arrogant.

We are advised in the first reading to be humble, because it will help us to find favour before God and He will reveal His mysteries to us. We cannot boast of anything in this life because we have received it as a gift from God and we cannot use the gift of God to make show of ourselves, rather, we should use it to serve others. The most important person in the christian community is the one who serves others.

Who is a humble person
- The person who turns into the servant of all
- The person who keeps His head bowed down like one ever ready to receive order and instruction from his superior
- One who does not hide His talent because he does not wish to serve

A proud person is very greedy and finds it difficult to give or share what he has with another, because of the fear that the other person may become greater. Humility is the hallmark of great men and women and we are expected as good christians to seek to be humble always as Jesus Christ has shown us an example to follow.

The Reward Of Humility
It actually pays to be humble. Although, in the eyes of the world, the humble people could be regarded as foolish and stupid, but they are actually great in the eyes of the Lord.

a. Humble people are saved: Psalm 18:27 "You save the humble, but bring low those whose eyes are proud"

b. Humble people are guided: Psalm 25:9 " He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His ways"

c. Humble people are crowned with salvation: Psalm 149:4 "For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the poor with salvation"

d. The humble are exalted. Their exaltation can come in the form of promotion, upliftment, breakthrough e.t.c Matt.23:11-12 "the greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted"

Instances Of Humility In The Scripture
- Numbers 12:3 "Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth"

- Luke 1:26-56 The story of the Blessed Virgin

- Philippians 2:1-11 The story of Jesus Christ.

- Ephesians 4:2 " Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love"

- James 4:10 "Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up"

- Proverbs 3:34 God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble"

- 1 Peter 5:6 "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God so that He will lift you high in due time"

- Proverbs 25: 6-7 "Do not exalt yourself in the King's presence and do not claim a place among great men; It is better for Him to say to you, 'come up here' than for Him to humiliate you before a noble man"

Pride is cancerous and can make a Christian loose the reward of eternal life. A humble man shares what he has with those who do not have. He practices disinterested charity, that is, he invites the poor, maimed, lame and blind to his feast, because they will not be able to pay him back. His reward will be at the resurrection and that will be the greatest of reward.

We have come to mount Zion and to the city of the living God, we must learn from Jesus the mediator of the new covenant to be humble always in words and actions so that in the end we shall gather in the feasts of the angels and to the assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven.

The way up, is down and if we will represent Christ well here on earth we have no alternative than to be humble. Truly and most sincerely, it really pays to be humble, therefore, we must strive to learn from Jesus who told us in Matthew 11:29 to learn from Him for He is meek and humble in heart

Let Us Pray: Lord Jesus, help me to humble myself everyday so that I will be like you and may you raise me up in due time. Give me a new heart to share what I have with the poor so that I will be rewarded in due season. Amen

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