On Becoming Humble

Deacon Bruce Maltzen's
Homily for August 29th, 2004
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C

We've seen over and over where what Jesus says has a tendency to be pushy or "over the edge". I mean, when you decide to have a meal, its usually because you want to have your friends over, right? You want to invite them because your comfortable with them. You know that they won't embarrass you unless its meant to be just some kidding around, right! And you know that you can talk to them with out searching for things to talk about. You know what they're interested in and they know what you are interested in. Besides, didn't they just have you over a couple of weeks ago and its about time you repaid them? I mean you know they will root for the Vikings with you (put Packers in here if you aren't Vikings fans) and not get you angry. Besides, you'll feel comfortable in front of them and they won't make you feel self conscious.

But invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind? Why I'd be serving them rather than enjoying the meal. Right! RIGHT! Its funny, but Jesus (and therefore God) has this idea that we are here to serve the lowly and cater to the poor? Well I don't know about you but isn't that pushing it a little. I mean , I give to charity and can't they get a meal down at Sharing and Caring Hands? Isn't that what charity is for?

And what's this bit about "blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you"? I don't have that much money that I could feed a bunch of poor people all the time. I mean, I need time with my friends and family. Aren't I supposed to invite them over too?

When's the last time that you went to someone's house and sat at the "other table", you know the one that the kids are relegated to, or went and sat on one of those folding chairs, leaving the table and good chairs for the others that came later? When's the last time that you were asked to move from those chairs and come up next to the host and sit with his family and talk to him.

Maybe there's something here for both friend and host? Maybe as a host we need to review who we always sit with, maybe we've lost the art of hosting - that is the walking around and making sure everyone has been fed and has had their needs met BEFORE we tend to our own needs?

From the Merriam Webster Online Dictionary:
Humility - the quality or state of being humble

"Humble"
from the Latin humilis low, from humus earth; meaning
1 : not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive
2 : reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission

It seems that this word has a teaching all in its own. From the earth. Low, not haughty or arrogant. Well - No one wants to be arrogant, but do we want to seem to be humble? Do we? Maybe we need to understand what being humble is?

Lets look again at the definition: Not proud or haughty, that is not thinking that you are greater or more important than anyone else, for that leads to a downfall when you meet those who are really strong and wise. We should, if we want to be humble, listen to the truly wise, and make their thoughts our own. Not arrogant or assertive, that is not taking your own rights first but making sure others needs are met before attending to our own. Taking the position of serving versus receiving or being served.

Think of some truly humble people. Pope John Paul II, Mother Theresa, are a couple that come to mind. Their acts of kindness and concern for others both great and small are almost legendary. Their humility was self evident in the way they lived their life. Their lives were and are about others.

But I know that some of you know people close to you that example that type of humility. Perhaps it was your mother or father, serving the family at all times without thought to their own needs. Or maybe an uncle or aunt continually giving to others, perhaps even unseen in their acts of kindness by others except you. Perhaps a true friend who left what was important to them to take care of you or someone else when they needed help. Funny, you know it when you see it. It doesn't really even need teaching. It stands out so well because it is so "other" than the world. It is the viewing of everyone else as a gift from God, and in realizing this that then brings about an acting upon that realization. In that we become humble.

Jesus said, "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 everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

So when is it that we need to take the lowest place? It is when we recognize the presence of God in all that surrounds us and we tend to that presence.
Humility is not a faked humility, that is we are not humble to draw attention to ourselves. It is an understanding of our position before God and others. Humility is practiced out of joy and love for each other, being unselfish and giving of ourselves to those that we find needier than we are.

Saint Paul says it quite eloquently in his letter to the Phillipians:
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility [there's that word again] count others better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [now listen closely]6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, [listen to what Saint Paul indicates is the servant form] being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore [and here's the promise attached with humility] God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

When we finally come to that great banquet in heaven, let alone this banquet set here now before us, do we wish the host, the King of Kings to say to us, "come my friend, move up to a higher position"? If we claim to be Christian, one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ, one who is a follower of Christ, an imitator of Christ, then we who profess that, BETTER learn humility, for surely Christ has exampled it to us.

Your brother in Christ,
Deacon Bruce