30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME C
WHY GOD LOVES THE HUMBLE
LK 19, 9-14
MESSAGE
The proud person is creative and imaginative. He invents his own narrative, the story he tells himself and which he wants people to believe. He imagines a world where he alone is perfect and glorious. The humble person is simple and realistic. He starts from the truth of his weakness, even from his wretchedness. He is not afraid to show the world that he is not perfect and his life is far from ideal.
The proud person is full of fears, because he does not want to be exposed. Instead of admitting his faults, he points fingers at others to make himself feel better, seem taller and look different than the rest. The humble person’s eyes are on himself; that is why he sees his own faults and his need for redemption. He dares not compare himself with others because for one who imagines himself so low, with whom can he be compared?
The proud build a wall within which to hide. He protects himself with his accomplishments and achievements, his good deeds, and his acts of compliance in order to be noticed, praised and envied. The humble lives in an open space where mercy and forgiveness can find him. He boasts of nothing but is willing to start all over again.
The proud stands before God but prays only to himself, thinking that God is impressed by him. The humble cannot even look up to God but his prayer is directed to God who alone can rescue him and help him out of all his troubles.
And so, “the prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds,” says Sirach in the first reading. And “the one who humbles himself will be exalted” says the Lord Jesus in the Gospel.
REFLECT
Pride is a natural feeling because God wants us to pursue greatness and to delight in our efforts to attain it. But before God, who is the greatest of all, we can only be humble, open, and obedient. Let us pray for the gift of true humility.
