30 October 2021 LUKE 14:1, 7-11
Saturday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time
HUMILITY: LOGIC OF DIVINE POWER
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Luke 14:11)
In one of Pope Francis’ relevant exhortations dated June 29, 2013 to the leaders of the church namely Bishops, priests, religious and lay leaders, instructed not to cling too much on positions in the church. He told them to shun the logic of human power and positions and to embrace the logic of Divine power – humility. The logic of Divine power is based on “word made flesh’. In short what he intended is the requirement of ‘servant-leaders’ and not ‘master-leaders’ in the church.
Similarly, Jesus talks about the paradox of Christian life, “…the one who humbles himself will be exalted”. Jesus uses the example of practice of ‘social positioning’ in a wedding context to explain this paradox of Christian life. Jesus’ words, “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited” is not about etiquette and good manners, but is about the practice of humility.
Humility is basically an attitude, not a practice. ‘Choosing the lower positions’ or ‘Preferential option/respect for poor’ are not primarily practices but are expressions of an attitude of heart, humility! Giving without concern of any repayment is an attitude of the heart, humility.
Two signs of a humble person.
An ability to rejoice at the virtues /goodness of others. A humble person recognizes the virtues and talents of others, especially those surpassing his or her. Mother Mary hurries to Elizabeth to appreciate her in her old age pregnancy because she was the lowly daughter of God. A humble person never feels jealous or envious. A humble person will be mature enough to think of the good and blessings seen in the life of others received from the all-embracing generosity of God. That is part of the goodness of God. It is very important through what lens to you. If you look through the lens of humility you will be able to see the goodness of God revealed in the lives of others. If you look through the lens of envy you would really feel God being unfair to you.
A humble person accepts own weaknesses! Consider the SWOT analysis, a scientific tool used in project planning and evaluation. The letters ‘S’, ‘W’, ‘O’, ‘T’ symbolizes Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Treats expected or occurred in a particular project. In the first step of analysis Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Treats are assessed. In the second step think of steps to convert Weakness to Strengths and then treat them to Opportunities. The virtue of humility helps a person to be aware of weakness and then convert to strengths. Therefore, the virtue of humility becomes the route of growth in the life of a person.
Greatest example of humility is manifested in Jesus! In two mysteries namely, incarnation and cross! Incarnation is God humbling Himself from Divine glory to become a human being. As a man he humbled Himself further by dying on the cross!
Humility always leaves a space for God to work miracles in one’s life, whereas pride blocks all possible spaces for God to manifest His goodness. Amen.