Being a Citizen of Heaven

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: August 28, 2022

Readings: Sirach 3:17–18, 20, 28–29; Psalm 68:4–7,10–11; Hebrews 12:18–19, 22–24; Luke 14:1, 7–14

To listen to the audio-video reflections on YOUTUBE please click on this link: https://youtu.be/Yr9xgRT4jME

In a world of name and fame, being simple and unnoticed is difficult. The human tendency urges one to be recognized and identified. There is in each one of us the "Will to Power" a main driving force in humans. It is an irrational force, found in all individuals, that can be channelled toward different ends. The liturgical readings of today take us in another direction that is to be humble and unnoticed and thus be a person of God.

1. Give up your place

Jesus narrates a parable of guests at the wedding feast. Jesus is such a people watcher and observer! Jesus invites his listeners to be attentive and watch the situation before one could take a place in such public functions. Jesus illustrates an important eternal truth. It is better not to take a place that is not meant or suitable to us. It is good for us to choose a place in a public gathering unnoticeable. It is better that when someone recognizes us who we are and accordingly accommodates us by giving a suitable place. In other words, one's humility must give him or her credit to be honoured.  Jesus is revealing the way of the Kingdom, in which the one who would be greatest would be the servant of all (Luke 22:24–27). In fact, you recognize unexpected God based on the foundation of your humility. 

Humility has always been one of the characteristics of great men and women, saints and holy people. If people got attracted towards these persons, it is because of this quality of docility and humility. How can we retain or improve upon our humility? First of all, it is by realizing the facts. Even though we may know a lot still very little we know compared with the sum total of knowledge. However much we have achieved, we still have achieved very little in the end. However important we may believe ourselves to be, when death knocks us down or when we retire from our position, life and work will go on just the same. Secondly, we can retain humility by comparing with the perfect. It is when we see a person performs so brilliantly and we realize how poor our own performance is. Therefore when we look at the Lord, his life, his radiance of stainless purity,  his abundance of life-giving spirit of wisdom must make our pride to die and self-satisfaction to shrink.

2. Move up higher

Often we do things because of our sense of duty like dropping money in the offering. Other times we do things because we are compelled to do so like paying taxes or rent as we cannot escape. We do things often because of our self-interest. They are not necessarily acts of generosity but instead rationalized selfishness. Therefore, Jesus tells "when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:3-4).

Jesus assures that because of a person's sense of humility and generosity, he/she would be moved to a higher place. The person will be honoured because of what he or she is. "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 14:11).  Jesus challenges our conventional way of going about in this world. However, in view of the Kingdom values what makes you greater in the reign of God is lowliness and a sense of humility. The Christian apologist, C S Lewis famously said, "humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less." Nevertheless, humility does not deny or downplay your gifts and talents. Indeed, they are important to enable you to serve God as God wants. You are called, though, to recognise that those gifts and talents are indeed given to you by God, for a purpose. So that you reach higher.

3. Find favour with the Lord

The first reading from the book of Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) gives a very good piece of wisdom. It says that behave humbly and you will find favour with the Lord. "Be gentle in carrying out your business, and you will be better loved than a lavish giver. The greater you are, the more you should behave humbly, and then you will find favour with the Lord" (Sirach 3:17–18). There is no other way to find favour from the Lord. God looks at sincerity, humility, honesty, genuineness, truthfulness, integrity, and purity. In other words, God likes our self-abnegation and the attitude that God is the one who rules us and guides us.  

To find favour with the Lord entails other works that Jesus himself did in his life like feeding the hungry, sending the rich away empty, lifting up the lowly and downtrodden, pulling down the proud and so on (Luke 1:52–53). Therefore to share in God's inheritance we are to live humbly, knowing fully well that we are not worthy to sit at His table (Luke 6:7; 15:21), yet all are welcome and none is excluded. There is a place for everyone. Hence we are obliged to give alms to the poor, be kind to those who can never repay us, and atone for our sins. Thus humility leads us to God. In other words, a humble person feels the need for God!

Questions for reflections:

1.  How can I grow and practice humility?
2. Humility means that my own ego, my concerns, don’t get in the way. Do I find myself drawn to ask for this kind of humility?
3. “An attentive ear is the desire of the wise.” Which of your gifts and talents do you most want to thank God for today?

Prayer: (based on Psalm 68)

Gracious and loving God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor and provide to the needy. Thus we can rejoice and exult before you. For you are our gladness and joy. For you have made a home for the poor. You are the father of orphans and the defender of widows.  You give a home to the forsaken, and lead the prisoners to prosperity. In your holy dwelling, we have a place forever. You shower down, a bountiful rain and restore the barren and dry land. Thus your flock may settle down peacefully. 

The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace, this day and evermore. Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

August 26, 2022