DAILY GOSPEL COMMENTARY . A LESSON ABOUT HUMILITY (Lk 14:1,7-11).
Lesson about humility
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 everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Gospel Commentary from the Navarre Bible, Commentary of the Gospel of St. Luke (with permission)
- 11 Humility is so necessary for salvation that Jesus takes every opportunity to stress its importance.
- Here he uses the attitudes of people at a banquet to remind us again that it is God who assigns the places at the heavenly banquet.
- “Together with humility, the realization the greatness of man’s dignity — and of the overwhelming fact that, by grace; we are made children of God — forms a single attitude. It is not our own efforts that save us and give us life; it is the grace of God. This is a truth which must never be forgotten” (St. Josemaria, Christ is passing by, 133).
Ways to Become Humble
While Mother Teresa was head of the Missionaries of Charity, she kept a list of ways to grow in humility for daughters in the Congregation.
- Speak as little as possible about yourself.
- Keep busy with your own affairs and not those of others.
- Avoid curiosity (she is referring to wanting to know things that should not concern you.)
- Do not interfere in the affairs of others.
- Accept small irritations with good humor.
- Do not dwell on the faults of others.
- Accept censures even if unmerited.
- Give in to the will of others.
- Accept insults and injuries.
- Accept contempt, being forgotten and disregarded.
- Be courteous and delicate even when provoked by someone.
- Do not seek to be admired and loved.
- Do not protect yourself behind your own dignity.
- Give in, in discussions, even when you are right.
- Choose always the more difficult task.
The Power of Humility
“It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.”
—Saint Augustine
VIDEO COMMENTARY ON TODAY’S GOSPEL
TOPIC: Do you measure up to the 15 standards of humility according to St. Teresa of Calcutta?
Today’s gospel (Luke 14:1, 7-11) is a continuation of yesterday’s reading where Jesus was invited by a Pharisee to dinner. After healing a sick man on that Sabbath dinner, the Pharisees there start jockeying for the best seats in the house. Through a parable, Jesus tells them to do the opposite to avoid the embarrassment of the host asking them to transfer as such seats are reserved for someone else. It is best, according to Jesus, to go to the lowest place and wait to be asked by the host to transfer to a better seat.
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