Humility and Blessings

08-28-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Anthony Okolo, C.S.Sp, V.F.

The first reading of today comes from the book of Sirach also known as Ecclesiasticus. The book is intended for those who wish to gain wisdom and instruction for life. He discusses issues like repentance, humility, family life, societal relationship, prudence and the meaning of life and death. He does not talk on what happens after life.

Sirach is among the books referred to as the Wisdom Literature and are concerned with the question about the role of God in everyday life and the meaning of life. What can make one happy in life. The whole book of Wisdom Literature asks the questions like, What I can do to be wise or successful? How can I be happy in life? Why am I so often sad? What is the meaning of life and why do the people suffer?

The central message of today’s passage is the need for humility. “My Son, perform your tasks in meekness then you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.” The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself, so you will find favour with God. Because a humble person truly recognizes his true status and knows that his gifts, talents and abilities as coming from God. Humility helps us to recognize our continued need of God and His mercy and forgiveness. Pride goes before destruction and hence must be kept deflated. A bit of deflation can help us all at times. A proud person makes himself the center of attraction. He or she looks down on others and always sees himself very important. A proud person finds it hard to say I’m sorry and he finds it very difficult to accept correction.

The gospel presents us with a dinner invitation to Jesus by a Pharisee. He went to the dinner to demonstrate that He came for everyone. The good, the bad and the ugly. Jesus arrives as usual, whereas the people and the pharisees were more interested in watching Him to find fault with Him. To watch someone means to put one under intense scrutiny. It means to keep a close eye on one to discover where he/she makes mistakes. There is nothing more trying than to be under constant critical scrutiny. When that happens most often we lose our focus, our nerve and even more often lose our temper. But Jesus remained serene and calm in this condition. If we live with Him, He can always make us like Himself when we are under pressure and critical scrutiny. When we have a humble and meek heart like Jesus we will always remain calm and serene under any condition.

Jesus was invited by a Pharisee and not just any Pharisee, but a leading member. It is like saying that He was invited to a dinner by an enemy because of His critique of the Pharisees’ way of religious practices which generate a lot of conflict between Jesus and the Parisees. He would not refuse even an enemy’s invitation. This is because He knows very well that we will never make our enemies our friends if we refuse to meet and talk with them. The message Jesus teaches us is to meet and talk with those we consider not our friends or those who disagree with us. We can never win our foes over unless we meet and talk with them.

Fr. Tony Okolo C.S.Sp., V.F.