20-second Summary
Humility is a virtue that is highly praised. How does one keep from becoming “proud” of their humility? The readings this week give us ample opportunity to reflect on and learn more about this virtue of humility that is so elusive, especially in the current culture of “putting oneself out there”. How DO we remain humble when we are constantly bombarded by the message that we need to always be in front, showing off our talents, or bodies?
Catechesis At Home – Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C
The Virtue of Humility
First Reading
and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.
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.
The mind of a sage appreciates proverbs,
and an attentive ear is the joy of the wise.
Water quenches a flaming fire,
and alms atone for sins.
Responsorial Psalm
The just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD.
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance;
you restored the land when it languished;
your flock settled in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy.
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
Second Reading
You have not approached that which could be touched
and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness
and storm and a trumpet blast
and a voice speaking words such that those who heard
begged that no message be further addressed to them.
No, you have approached Mount Zion
and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
and countless angels in festal gathering,
and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven,
and God the judge of all,
and the spirits of the just made perfect,
and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,
and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.
Gospel Reading
Alleluia
Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord,
and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.
He told a parable to those who had been invited,
noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not recline at table in the place of honor.
A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,
‘Give your place to this man,’
and then you would proceed with embarrassment
to take the lowest place.
Rather, when you are invited,
go and take the lowest place
so that when the host comes to you he may say,
‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’
Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.
For every one who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Then he said to the host who invited him,
“When you hold a lunch or a dinner,
do not invite your friends or your brothers
or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors,
in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.
For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Mass Readings are presented verbatim from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) web site in good faith accordance with its “Web and Other Digital Media Usage” guidelines. All Rights are reserved to the USCCB.
The Virtue of Humility
REFLECTION – Praising the Virtue of Humility
That sounds a little odd – praising the virtue of humility. Does that negate the humility? No, this virtue is one of the core virtues that Jesus exhorts and encourages in people. He is constantly working to get the Pharisees and leaders of the Jews to go deeper into their faith, to put themselves aside long enough to let God truly enter into their lives. Jesus sees they can be saved, but only if they lay aside their pride and vanity and become humble, acknowledging God is God and they have the privilege of being His co-worker and ultimately, His friend.
The author of Sirach praises the virtue of humility, the author of Hebrews reminds us that it is God who deserves all our praise and attention. Jesus tells the parable of the seating assignments. How embarrassing it would be to be asked to move at a banquet or important meeting!
Humility is recognizing that God gives us great gifts to share, but not brag about. We certainly should not hide our God-given beauty and talents. But at the same time, we shouldn’t flaunt them in a way just to get attention or flattery. That leads to pride, vanity, and envy.
Social media is a dangerous place where these are concerned. Most forums are rife with people trying to show anyone and everyone how great they are, how beautiful they are, how smart they are, etc. There is much negativity and very little truth. The Goodness of God is lost, and among that is a loss of humility and modesty. We must protect ourselves from the sins and temptations that are so prevalent in our society. And especially protect our children from the dangers of these. Working with our children to recognize the false humility, the untruths or lies that surround a person’s posts or photos, and the lack of respect so prevalent in them is a big part of parenting. Discussing regularly and encouraging strong, healthy friendships will help counteract the messages they are exposed to elsewhere.
DISCUSSION – Building the Virtue of Humility
This also sounds awkward – building something that helps us to remain lowly. This discussion requires us to practice the virtue of humility. This time make sure parents go first. It’s time to confess something in which we are each prideful or vain. This is the root of the Original Sin, and we each have some of that in us. Be honest with one another and tell one thing that hurts your ability to remain humble. (If you need a definition of humility, you can look back at this TWMWU from last year.)
After each person has told their vice or temptation, a parent or friend should say something that they recognize as humility in that person. Whether it is a common thing or attitude or virtuous way of living, or a single incident that can encourage the other person in their pursuit of the virtue of humility. Either way, everyone should hear one thing that someone else has observed that shows the virtue of humility in them.
ACTIVITY – Virtue of Humility = Stealth Mode
This week everyone practice the virtue of humility by doing a good deed or being kind or helpful without asking or expecting recognition. It is in doing for others as you want them to do for you without expecting acknowledgment that we grow in the virtue of humility.
DIG DEEPER – Other Virtue of Humility resources from Holy Owned and Operated:
Page: Resources
TWMWU: Overcoming Our Passions: What is Humility?
TWMWU: Ash Wednesday: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving
TWMWU: Saint Joseph
Podcast: Humility – Episode 38
Podcast: The Prodigal Son – Episode 88
Podcast: The Incarnation – Episode 72
Video: Fruits of the Spirit: Modesty
How do you build the Virtue of Humility?
by Beth & Kristofer Cowles
HOO™ Co-Founders
Other Help on HOO
Being On The Road To Perfection – Episode 166
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:32 — 22.6MB)
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We are called to be perfect, as we discussed last week.
So, what does being on the road to perfection look like?
If Jesus was “finished” and his ministry was “completed,” as it means when He said, “It is done,” by saying, “It is perfected” just before He died on the Cross, He must have walked a road to perfection.
And so must we.
In this episode we discuss that concept, in terms of what we are doing and how we respond to the call for our life.
It’s a simple concept, and a difficult task, but we have the example of Our Lord which, from the proper perspective, is not an impossible example to follow and exemplify.
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