Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for The Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C - August 28, 2022

Homily of Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 2022

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

The second reading highlights a difference between the Jewish Old Testament religion and the New Covenant religion. The leaders of the Old Testament religion were proud and self-righteous chief priests, Pharisees, scribes, Sadducees, and lawyers. The leader and mediator of the New Covenant religion is Jesus Christ who is meek and humble of heart. The first reading and the Gospel are invitations to us to imitate the humility of Jesus Christ.

First reading: “My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gift. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.... What is too sublime for you, seek not, into things beyond your strength search not” (Sirach 3:17-18, 21).

Gospel: “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table of honor... For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:7-11).

It is not a coincidence that the words ‘humble’ and ‘human’ are closely related. Both words are derived from the Latin word 'humus' or earth. Biology teaches us that 'humus' is the best part of the soil that makes plants grow. God made human beings from 'humus,' the best part of the soil. And human beings return to 'humus' at the end of their life span. God says to us in Genesis 3:19, “For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Humility can be defined as devoid of pride or devoid of vanity. That is why some spiritual fathers and mothers see humility as the foundation of all virtues. According to St. Augustine, “In a soul humility does not exist, there can be no true virtue, but mere appearance.” St. Augustine also says, “If you are seeking perfection, there are three ways to reach it; first is humility, second is humility, and third is humility.” St. Dominic says, “Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword; wear humility rather than fine clothes.” St. Thomas Villanova says, “Humility is the mother of many virtues. From it springs obedience, holy fear, reverence, patience, modesty, mildness, and peace.” St. Thomas Villanova also says, “A humble person does not feel the insult which may be inflicted upon him or her.”

We may put it this way, a humble person does not retain in himself or herself insults inflicted upon him or her. When we experience prolonged anger or disturbance of soul, mind and body due to insults from someone, it means that the pride in us or our self-importance has retained the insults. The less proud we are or the less self-important we feel, the less we are wounded by insults, and the more forgiving we are. At the root of many un-forgiveness, misunderstandings and arguments is wounded pride or wounded self-importance. Scripture says, “Where there is strife, there is pride; but wisdom is found in those who take advice” (Proverbs 13:10).

A humble person is content and detached, and does not engage in unhealthy competitions and comparisons. He or she is respectful. He or she is not arrogant. He or she does not depend on human recognition. Jesus did not depend on human testimony (John 5:34). He admonishes us, “Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart” (Matthew 11:29). He teaches us humility when he washed the feet of his disciples. He said to them and to us, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do” (John 13:12-15). This is excellent humility!

St. Paul encourages us to, “Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him…” (Philippians 2:5-9).

A few more Bible passages on humility for our reflection and prayer:

Proverbs 8:13, “The Lord says, ‘I hate pride and arrogance, and perverse speech.”

Proverbs 11:12, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Proverbs 29:23, “Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gains honor.”

Luke 1:52-53, “He has brought down rulers from their thrones and has lifted the humble.”

James 4:10, Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you up.”

Remember the piece of advice in the first reading, “What is too sublime for you, seek not, into things beyond your strength search not” (Sirach 3:21). Many people have perished and many more are perishing because this advice is not heeded.

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP

Fr. Augustine Inwang, MSP - Homily for The Twemty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C - August 28, 2022

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

Pride Goes Before the Fall  

1.    Today’s first reading admonishes, “My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.” The Latin word ‘humilitas’, a noun, relates to the adjective humilis, which means “humble,” “grounded,” or “from the earth.” Its origin is ‘humus’ (earth). Humble persons do not see themselves as being more important than others. Christ teaches us to“Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.”(Matt. 11:29). The way of Christ is the way of the lamb of God who took away the sins of the world. He is the suffering servant of God who is “Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break and a smoldering wick he shall not quench until he establishes justice on the earth.” (Is. 42:1-4). And so, the readings remind us to be humble in dealing with others. People love those who are humble. Their humility is a gift that is more than a material gift. They give of themselves to others.

2.    Humility is not self-abasement or self-deprecating. It is not underestimating or underrating one’s abilities. No. God’s gifts to us are for a good purpose, to build up the body of Christ, the church. Humility disposes us to put our time, talent, and treasure in the service of God and his people. It enables us to recognize our weaknesses and limitations. It makes it possible for us to acknowledge that everything we have comes from God. Since all we have is a gift from God, we must not be pompous, boastful, arrogant, and inconsiderate about our gifts. Instead, we should put God first in all things, people next, then ourselves last. That is the fruit of humility. The book of Proverbs warns: “Before his downfall, a man’s heart is haughty, but humility goes before honors.” (Prov. 18:12). Pride goes before the fall; if we are not humble, we will stumble and fall. 

3.    In today’s Gospel, we are invited to dinner by God, just as Christ dinned at the leading Pharisee’s house. Many of those invited were busy choosing places of honor regardless of who else was invited. Christ reminds us that it is better to be invited to a high table by our host than be demoted to the floor seat with others. Won’t we be embarrassed if we are told to give up our place to someone more important than ourselves? How do we present ourselves before God and Christ, his Son, at the eucharistic table? Are we in church with the sole purpose of meeting the Lord and celebrating with our brothers and sisters, or have we come to tell God of our importance? Do we discriminate against others at the table of the Lord, or do we see ourselves as a worshipping community who worship God in spirit and in truth? Are we boastful and conceited like the Pharisee in the bible, “O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity – greedy, dishonest, adulterous – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.” or are we humble enough to know our position in life and acknowledge our need for God? “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”? (Lk. 18:9-14). It is true indeed that a humble person who often looks up to God rarely looks down on anyone, especially if they are poor, for he does not see himself as being better than anyone. Isn’t it funny that some of us like to sit at the back pew in church, but when invited to a social gathering, take the seat at the high table with no consideration that someone greater than us may have been invited and we may have to give up our seat to that person? 

 4.    Christ encourages us to consider whom to invite to our celebrations. The law of reciprocity is to be avoided by all means. We are to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. That they are unable to repay us means we are blessed. God will repay us at the resurrection of the righteous. Thus, Christ admonishes us that our admission into the kingdom will depend on how we treat the poor. Did we feed the hungry or give water to the thirsty? Did we welcome the stranger or clothe the naked? Did we visit those in prison or the sick at home? “What you did not do for one of these least ones you did not do for me.” So, is our humility grounded in our faith to the point of seeing everyone as our brothers or sisters? Do I allow Christ to grow in my life so that I no longer see how important I am but rather see the importance of those around me? Can I say with St. Paul, “Yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me”? (Gal. 2:20). Amen.    

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

 

Fr. Augustine Inwang, MSP - Homily for The Twemty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C - August 21, 2022

 

Readings: Isaiah 66:18-21; Heb. 12:5-7, 11-13; Lk 13:22-30

 

Choose Wisely, Choose the Narrow Path

 

1.    Diversity is God’s unique gift to humanity. God created us and loved us into being regardless of who we are the color of our skin and our country of origin. Discrimination, segregation, and racism are sins that cry out to heaven and show how far we are from our creator. These vices demonstrate our collective sense of sin and shame. Christ died for humanity and made salvation available to all, not minding who we are and where we come from. St Paul captured this vividly thus: “For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the promise.” (Gal. 3:26-29). 

 

2.    Today’s first reading reminds us of this fact. “I am coming to gather the nations of every language. They shall come to witness my glory. I will give them a sign and send some of their survivors to the nations.” Isaiah wrote this to encourage the children of Israel who were exiled to Babylon. Two generations of Israelites were already in the land of exile. They had given up hope of returning home to Judea and their beloved temple in Jerusalem. The prophet told them that God would revisit them to restore their fortune. They will worship God again in Jerusalem. He reminded them that at the time of their visitation, people from foreign nations would join them to worship the God of Israel. Even foreigners would be accepted as priests. This way of thinking was foreign to them, who thought salvation was their birthright. 

 

3.    The Children of Israel were to see their time in a foreign land as a testing period and a time of discipline. God tested them because he loved them. “Suffering is part of your training; God is treating you as his sons. Has there ever been any son whose father did not train him?” (Second reading). Much as we hate suffering, it is a necessary part of our existence. There is no crown without a cross. But we would do anything to avoid pain, suffering, and discipline. Many have taken drugs, alcohol, sex, and violent behaviors to numb their pains. But our pain will not go away through the use of substances; we must solve our problems by working through them. Whatever we take to avoid pain and suffering will wear off sooner than later, and the pain will intensify after. If we are patient and disciplined, we can solve life’s problems slowly but surely. 

 

4.    Today, Christ invites us to make a hard choice and travel the narrow path of discipline. To the question, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” We cannot claim to know Christ if we are not practicing Christians. Our religious practices without knowing Christ as our personal Lord and Savior will not bring us to His presence. We may hear instead, “I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!” Or, as Isaiah would say: “These people claim to worship me, but their words are meaningless, and their hearts are somewhere else. Their religion is nothing but human rules and traditions, which they have simply memorized.” (29:13). 

 

5.    Does God know your work and your thoughts? (First reading). Do you have a personal relationship with God that will influence your relationship with others? To the question, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Christ answered: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” (Matt. 22:36-40). Those who do the will of God and love their neighbors as themselves will see God, not those who call on God daily and do not do what He commands.

 

6.    We have a choice before us today. So, we must choose wisely! Is your choice the narrow path that leads to joy, peace, and eternal happiness, or the way that guarantees instant happiness and joy here and now? Let us choose a life with God. Let us choose forgiveness and peaceful coexistence with others and not hatred and sadness. The choice is ours. But remember, every choice has consequences. May we choose the narrow path, the road that only a few people will find, and enter into eternal happiness with God. May Christ never say this to us “I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers.” Amen.

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP