First Reading - Ecclesiasticus 3:19-21,30-31
Second Reading - Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24a
Gospel - Luke 14:1,7-14
One of the greatest obstacles to true holiness is pride, and one of the greatest marks of authentic discipleship is humility. Today’s readings call us to embrace the way of humility, not as weakness, but as the path to God’s blessing and eternal glory.
The book of Ecclesiasticus reminds us that “the greater you are, the more you should humble yourself, and you will find favor with the Lord.” Human greatness is not measured by power, wealth, or prestige, but by a heart that bows before God and serves others. Pride builds walls, but humility opens doors to grace.
The letter to the Hebrews then lifts our gaze to the heavenly Jerusalem, where countless angels and the saints are gathered in festal joy around God. The vision is striking—it is not the proud who occupy this place of glory, but those who have been washed, purified, and humbled by the blood of Christ. It is humility that prepares us to enter the eternal banquet.
In the Gospel, Jesus gives a practical lesson at a dinner table. He warns against seeking the places of honor, teaching instead that true greatness is found in lowering oneself. Even more, He challenges us to go beyond self-interest in our relationships: not to invite only those who can repay us, but to reach out to the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind—those who cannot give us anything in return. Such love mirrors God’s own generosity and reflects the very heart of the Gospel.
Dear friends, the message is clear: humility is not about thinking less of ourselves, but about thinking more of others and placing God at the center of our lives. When we live this way, we discover the paradox of the Gospel—that those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Let us then walk in the quiet strength of humility, finding joy not in being served, but in serving; not in being honored, but in honoring others. And may our lives, shaped by this humble love, lead us one day to the eternal banquet of heaven, where Christ Himself will welcome us with joy.
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