THE VALUE OF HUMILITY

HOMILY FOR THE 22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C

Theme: THE VALUE OF HUMILITY

R1: Sirach 3:19-21,30-31

R2: Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24

Gospel: Luke 14:1,7-14

It is indeed a golden truth that 'humility and fear of the Lord leads to riches, honour and longlife'(cf. Prov. 22:4). Humility is also necessary for maintaining a proper perception of ourselves.

Humility is so important in our lives since God abhors the proud (cf. James 4:6) and gives  grace to the humble. Humility therefore is a grace that attracts grace. 

The first reading of today emphasizes on humility and gentleness. It says that with gentleness, you will be better loved than a lavish giver. Humility elevates one but pride goes before a fall (cf. Prov. 16:18).

Pride on the other hand closes the door to spiritual growth; even in the physical realm, pride closes the door to social growth, financial growth etc. If one is a proud person, a person who does not accept the realities of life but is bent on living fake life, claiming what he/she is not, such a fellow will eventually miss out on many opportunities including business opportunities or destiny  helpers that are meant to raise him up. His helpers may see his/her fake package and conclude that he/she does not need help.

WHY MUST WE BE HUMBLE?

The second reading tells us why we must be humble. We must be humble because (1) God abhors the proud (2) everything we have was given to us by another. (3) we have nothing compared to what should be possessed. We have seen nothing compared to what should be seen. And we know nothing compared to what should be known.

ARE YOU HUMBLE?

HOW HUMBLE ARE YOU?

There are signs by which we can measure when we have become proud even though unconsciously. When you are proud, most likely

1. you over-commit yourself and burn out because you feel you are the best person for the job, for every job

2. you won't notice when your attitude offends others because you will be blinded by your certainty that you are right

3. you will miss the chances to learn from amazing teachers because you think you know more than them and don't need to ask questions. So you you lose the opportunity to improve

4. you will deny others the chance to exercise their gifts because you will take assignments that should have been theirs

5. you will shut down the chances to receive feedbacks from others because it will be obvious that you are not open to hearing them.

6. you will sacrifice things that are important in order to make sure you don't fail at something you should not have been doing Inthe first place.

CONSEQUENCES OF NOT BEING HUMBLE

The Gospel tells us the consequences of not being humble. They are namely: demotion, humiliation, downfall.

Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and the man(or woman) who humbles himself (or herself) will be exalted (cf. Lk 14:14). Check out in the human history about those who thought themselves higher that they should; those who thought themselves as god's and see how they ended up in shame. People like King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, was humbled by God. God made him eat grass like an Ox just to teach him humility.

Do not allow yourself to be humiliated before you become humble. Humility is not humiliation. Humility is grace. Humiliation is disgrace.

When you are humble, you will know your place and take it. You will also know the place of others and give to them. Then God will elevate you and give you a higher place.

BE HUMBLE

HAVE A GREAT DAY🌹

FadaNonsoOgbu,SMMM