Fr. Joeven Matugas sx
Reflection on the Mass readings of August 28, 2022 (22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time)
The theme of the readings today is about being humble and low. The book of Ecclesiasticus/Sirach says, “my son, be gentle in carrying out your business, the greater you are, the more you should behave humbly, and then you will find favor with the Lord....the Lord accepts the homage of the humble. There is no cure for the proud man's malady”…(Eccl. 3:17-29.28-29). In fact, we get irritated by people who speak proudly. Due honor is given to those who are gentle, homage to the humble, as this passage implies.
Likewise are the words that we read in the Gospel that narrates the parable of the wedding guests. Jesus said, “when you are invited to a wedding sit in the lowest place....the man who humbles himself will be exalted” (Lk. 14:7-14). This is not to be taken literally but it also implies our daily living.
The person of Jesus is the first example of humility. His humility does not discredit himself. It is the glory he gives to the Father. By his humility he won over the world. He became victorious over all evil.
Humility is the teaching of Jesus. He himself was a very humble man. Humble in front of the Father, in front of the mystery of God.
Yes, we clearly understand that humility is a Christian virtue. We have to accept and live by it. It is Christ who gave us this great example. Humility and lowliness are not signs of weakness and embarrassment, but of enrichment and courage. Rather it is not oppression and shame. It is strength and hope.
It takes a personal decision to be humble. Yet we can't do it just by ourselves as human beings. That is why we need to pray and ask the mercy of God.
For we humans because of our attitudes and achievements tend to become proud and too confident in ourselves. When we are proud we become gods and goddesses ourselves. We become self-centered. When we are proud we disregard the power of God.
The Word of God always comes to us as a challenge to our way of behaving and line of thinking. It always reminds us that God is more powerful than our human minds. And leads us to acknowledge that there is a God who knows us and takes care of us.
All Sunday readings and reflections remind us all to look inside ourselves and so be able to see through the lens of our faith and gather back again the bits and pieces of our broken lives and make them whole.
Today is the feast day of St. Augustine. More than his conversion, he taught us how to be humble in front of God. He embodied the Christian values and lived the virtue of humility, to glorify God and no longer himself.
Happy Feast Day St. Augustine!
Reflection on the Mass readings of August 28, 2022 (22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time)
The theme of the readings today is about being humble and low. The book of Ecclesiasticus/Sirach says, “my son, be gentle in carrying out your business, the greater you are, the more you should behave humbly, and then you will find favor with the Lord....the Lord accepts the homage of the humble. There is no cure for the proud man's malady”…(Eccl. 3:17-29.28-29). In fact, we get irritated by people who speak proudly. Due honor is given to those who are gentle, homage to the humble, as this passage implies.
Likewise are the words that we read in the Gospel that narrates the parable of the wedding guests. Jesus said, “when you are invited to a wedding sit in the lowest place....the man who humbles himself will be exalted” (Lk. 14:7-14). This is not to be taken literally but it also implies our daily living.
The person of Jesus is the first example of humility. His humility does not discredit himself. It is the glory he gives to the Father. By his humility he won over the world. He became victorious over all evil.
Humility is the teaching of Jesus. He himself was a very humble man. Humble in front of the Father, in front of the mystery of God.
Yes, we clearly understand that humility is a Christian virtue. We have to accept and live by it. It is Christ who gave us this great example. Humility and lowliness are not signs of weakness and embarrassment, but of enrichment and courage. Rather it is not oppression and shame. It is strength and hope.
It takes a personal decision to be humble. Yet we can't do it just by ourselves as human beings. That is why we need to pray and ask the mercy of God.
For we humans because of our attitudes and achievements tend to become proud and too confident in ourselves. When we are proud we become gods and goddesses ourselves. We become self-centered. When we are proud we disregard the power of God.
The Word of God always comes to us as a challenge to our way of behaving and line of thinking. It always reminds us that God is more powerful than our human minds. And leads us to acknowledge that there is a God who knows us and takes care of us.
All Sunday readings and reflections remind us all to look inside ourselves and so be able to see through the lens of our faith and gather back again the bits and pieces of our broken lives and make them whole.
Today is the feast day of St. Augustine. More than his conversion, he taught us how to be humble in front of God. He embodied the Christian values and lived the virtue of humility, to glorify God and no longer himself.
Happy Feast Day St. Augustine!