22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. Today, our readings invite us to reflect on what it means to be humble – so many different concepts of what that means. Among which are not bragging about one’s accomplishments, not taking credit for things you have not done, or not having too exalted an opinion of yourself. In short, to realize you are not the center of the universe.
Many years ago, I heard humility defined as integrity combined with compassion. How beautifully this simple phrase captures the essence of what it means to conduct our affairs with humility.
We live in a society that does not encourage or reward humility. Great stress is placed on accomplishments, on getting ahead, and being first. Worth is often measured by our jobs, our social standing, and our material worth. We are told to be sure to get all you deserve.
Conducting our lives with humility puts us in an entirely different stance. Living with integrity enables us to know that all we are and have are a gift from God. Rather than pride about ourselves and grasping for more, we stand in gratitude before the wonder of a God so great as to inspire fear and yet so loving as to become one of us that we might truly understand what it means to love.
His compassion for each of us enfolds us in love, forgives our sins and failings, and challenges us to bring that same compassion to everyone, no matter who they are, where they are from, or what they have done.
Coming to the Eucharistic banquet is not so much about where we sit. It is more about who is sitting with us. Or perhaps not sitting with us because we did not invite them in.
How can I live humbly today?
Prayer:
Gracious Lord, may each Eucharist enable us to realize the depth of your love for our human family and help us to understand our call to be united in love. May the Spirit give us the courage and generosity to care for one another, especially those most in need. Amen.
