Sunday, September 8 Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Book of Wisdom 9,13-18.

Who can know God's counsel, or who can conceive what the LORD intends?

For the deliberations of mortals are timid, and unsure are our plans.

For the corruptible body burdens the soul and the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many concerns.

And scarce do we guess the things on earth, and what is within our grasp we find with difficulty; but when things are in heaven, who can search them out?

Or who ever knew your counsel, except you had given Wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high?

And thus were the paths of those on earth made straight.

Psalms 90(89),3-4.5-6.12-13.14.17.

You turn man back to dust,

saying, "Return, O children of men."

For a thousand years in your sight

are as yesterday, now that it is past,

or as a watch of the night.

You make an end of them in their sleep;

the next morning they are like the changing grass,

Which at dawn springs up anew,

but by evening wilts and fades.

Teach us to number our days aright,

that we may gain wisdom of heart.

Return, O LORD! How long?

Have pity on your servants!

Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,

that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.

And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;

Prosper the work of our hands for us!

Prosper the work of our hands!

Letter to Philemon 1,9-10.12-17.

I, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus,

I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment,

I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.

I should have liked to retain him for myself, so that he might serve me on your behalf in my imprisonment for the gospel,

but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary.

Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while, that you might have him back forever,

no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, as a man and in the Lord.

So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 14,25-33.

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them,

"If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion?

Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him

and say, 'This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.'

Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?

But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.

In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple."

Homily

Found this Homily online at A Catholic Moment;


HOMILY ANECDOTE:
Uruguay’s former president, Jose “Pepe” Mujica, was dubbed the “world’s poorest president” for good reason. 
A former Tupamaros guerrilla fighter in the 1960s and ’70s, Mujica was shot multiple times and spent 14 years in jail in harsh, isolated conditions. When he was elected Uruguayan president in 2009, Mujica donated 90 percent of his presidential salary to charity and ditched the lavish presidential palace, opting instead to live in his ramshackle farm with his wife. For the longest time, his sole personal asset amounted to a 1987 Volkswagen Beetle.

Mujica also fearlessly admonished other world leaders for their unfettered allowance of globalization and inequality. Although Mujica has left politics, yet the testimony of his humility lingers.
As the liturgical year moves closer to the end, the Holy Mother, the Church continues to remind her children about the essentials of life. On this 22nd sunday in ordinary time, we are reminded of one of the most important and central virtues, humility. Humility is a mother virtue and an attribute of God who though omnipotent but never ceases to bow low in order to enter into relationship with his creatures. Jesus is a true image of this “humble God” depicted in the kenosis theology of St. Paul: “Though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. “He emptied himself”, taking the form of a servant; and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he became obedient until death, even death on a Cross…” (Phil. 2:6-11). The rest of this song; “Therefore God has highly exalted him and gave him a name which is above every name…” is a pure expression of the reward of humility which the readings today talked about, especially the first reading and the gospel.

FIRST READING: Sirach 3:17-20.28-29
The book of Sirach (190/180 BC) also known in its Greek translation as Ecclesiasticus, belongs to the category of writings known as ‘Wisdom literature’ (genre of literature common in the ancient Near East, consisting of teachings of sages about divinity and virtue). The author Ben Sira espoused different themes, one of which he acknowledged worldly wisdom. But for him, true Wisdom comes from God through the mediation of the Law. It is this Wisdom that enables for other virtues. Thus the preacher’s message today is a candid advice on humility as an important key for a successful ‘followership’ of God. He sees humility as a conditio sine qua non to obtaining favours from God. On the other hand, he condemned pride as a disease.
Is the preacher right in his perception of humility? Yes, because it is absolutely impossible to enter into relationship with God if man does not acknowledge his “nothingness” (in the sense of a created being who could not have existed of his own accord) before the greatness of God. Hence, humility is a mother virtue which opens the door for a deeper love for God.
Is the preacher right in his perception of pride as a disease? Yes, because it makes one to believe that the world begins and ends with him and around him which in fact is a blind deception. It is this tendency that challenges the supremacy and centrality of God in the life of a proud fellow. It is a serious affliction which the author describes as incurable. But the good news is that the only healing or antidote to pride is when the soul of man begins to imitate Christ meek and humble.

SECOND READING: Hebrews 12: 18-19.22-24
Today’s Letter to the Hebrews is a perfect description of the nature of the Eternal Homeland. The author started by telling his audience that their destination which he described as “Mount Zion” and “Jerusalem” is indeed the City of God himself. How beautiful it is to use familiar images to transport an important message! In order to communicate the concept of heaven to his diaspora Jewish converts to christianity, the author brings them face to face with images they knew very well, and which constitute important part of their history.
The first instance of the word “Zion” is found in the book of 2 Samuel: ” But David captured the citadel of Zion, that is, the city of David” (2 Sam 5:7). And just like in the books of 1 Kings 8:1; 1Chronicles 11:5 and 2 Chronicles 5:2, Zion and the city of David are synonymous. David as we know, was held as the most important king in the history of the Israelites and was acknowledged as a man after God’s heart (1 Sam 13:14). However, the concept of “Mount Zion” (which is a hill on which the city of David was built) employed by the author depicts the “Eternal City” occupied no longer by David but by the “Eternal King”, God Himself. He contrasted this Eternal City with the earthly city when he says that it is a city free of blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and tempest etc. It is rather a City that harbours only the humble like the angels, the saints around the Supreme judge, God, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.The proud cannot be there, since it will be difficult for them to worship the Lord.
This message is a reminder about the eschatos (the end) and a call to the Christians not to lose sight of this City as that is their destination. But of course, it is a destination that can only be reached through their imitation of Christ. Hence, the citizens of this City must clothe themselves with humility like Christ whose “mediatorship” was made possible through his humble submission to the will of the Father.

GOSPEL: Luke 14: 1.7-14
The gospel reading climaxed the message of today’s liturgy of the word. Christ himself, the model of humility exhorts his audience that, “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.”
After the interlude whereby Luke narrates Jesus’ healing of a man on a sabbath and defending the healing, the evangelist immediately brings his audience to a scene of meal. In this scene, Jesus tackles the social matrix of his time with a deep sense of wisdom that calls for change.
In the Greco-Roman society ( the recipients of the Gospel of Luke) during the time of Jesus, social ranking was quite common. And meals were moments that reveal tendencies of social disparities. Jesus who was probably invited as a celebrity proved not interested in such a title. He rather used the occasion to tackle without delay the pride of men and their high level of discrimination. His reactions were in two ways. In the first place, he criticized the tendency of seeking for the most prestigious place at table and immediately calls his audience to embrace the virtue of humility. The second was a counter-cultural message that touches the fabric of social structure during his time. He spoke directly to the man who had given the dinner and to all present to restructure their relational attitude in order to accommodate the poor, because the latter had no place in such a society whereby reciprocity is considered a way of patronage and which only existed among the rich. Jesus rather called for social inclusion.
Thus, in the world of struggle and competition, the target of people is to dominate and take the first place. And what is this first place all about? Is it anything else other than the place of honour? After all people will hail me for my success. Surely it is good to go for the best. But do people really take time to think of the hidden tendency or consequence of always lobbying for the first place?
Jesus’ teaching today is not an open condemnation of the search for the best of place, rather a warning to guard against a tendency that comes with it, which is pride. When someone is use to taking the first place in life and realizes how people hail his success, then without knowing it, pride will creep in. And once infested with pride, then the healing becomes difficult if not impossible as Sirach tells in the first readings. On the other hand, when the human person is evaluated by his achievements and social ranking, then the poor will never have a place in human society. And then the society will lose its essence, because the human person is defined by his “beingness” and not by what he has.

LIFE MESSAGES:

1. IT PAYS TO BE HUMBLE:
To those who have Machiavellian and Nietzschean domineering mindset, this is absurd. For these, humility is a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it is the humble man who has a good mastery of this life, for there is nothing to lose by being humble. The writer of the book of Proverbs says: “Humility and fear of the Lord brings wealth (symbol of blessing) and honour, and life” ( Prov. 22:4). Thus if we refuse to be humble in this life, then let us remember that sooner or later our pride will go down in death and dust.

2. PRIDE IS VENOMOUS TO THE SPIRIT:
Pride blocks the spirit of man from moving towards his creator. It tends to convince him that he can do without God. When this happens, the tendency of self-divinisation is born.

3. WITHOUT HUMILITY OUR LIFE IS EMPTY:
Do you know why? Yes, because if we are not humble, we will always work for ourselves with little or no regard for the other. And life without ‘the other’ is absolutely an empty and meaningless life.

4. HUMILITY BREEDS OTHER VIRTUES:
It will be impossible to seek for forgiveness for example if we are not humble. And to utter the word “sorry” will be a difficult task. When we say sorry, it is not weakness or cowardice but it shows that we are stronger than the other. Pride brings shame, and shame prevents us from going out of ourselves in order to enter into good relationship with the other.

5. PRAYER IS ONLY POSSIBLE BY HUMILITY:
Humility in the wisdom of the Church is the foundation of prayer (CCC 2559). It will be impossible to prostrate before God in prayer and to ask him for favours. For “man is a beggar before God” ( St. Augustine).

6. HUMILITY ACCOMODATES THE OTHER:
If in the ‘meal’ that God prepares, everyone is invited, the rich and the poor alike, why then do we create a social system that rewards the “haves” and disadvantage the “have-not?” The message of Jesus resounds anew today, calling us all to embrace humility in order to inaugurate a new world that encourages social inclusion.

7. REASON TO BE HUMBLE:
All I have are God-given gifts to me. And even my life, I just realised that God said, “please hold it for now, I will collect it from you later.” Why then should I boast? Why should I use these God-given gifts to elevate myself above others and allow my pride to suffocate them? I must simply admit the truth about myself: I don’t know everything; I don’t do everything in a right way and I am purely imperfect and a sinner. 

PRAYER:
God we have all failed you. Forgive us in moments we have not acknowledged our “littleness” in order to serve you and our brothers and sisters especially the most needy. Help us now and always to imitate the humility of your Son Jesus our elder brother, so as to merit his glory at the end of our life. Amen.

Prayer and Reflection

"Lord Jesus, you became a servant for my sake to set me free from the tyranny of sin, selfishness, and conceit. Help me to be humble as you are humble and to love freely and graciously all whom you call me to serve."

Lord God, I come from dust and to dust, I shall return. You, however, existed before all time, and every creature takes its being from you. You formed me in my mother’s womb with infinite care, and you watch over me tenderly. I hope you will embrace my soul at my death to carry me home to heaven to be with you forever. Thank you for looking upon me and blessing me with your love. Take my love in return. I humbly offer you all that I am.

Reflection today is from Regnum Christi;

1. Opening the Door to God: Today’s reading shows us Jesus dining at the house of a Pharisee. Apparently, they had invited him in order to examine him closely, as they tended to find fault with everyone who was not of their sect. Jesus turns the tables by calling them to task for their pride. Inviting Jesus into our lives always means opening ourselves to a challenge. He will reward our generosity by offering us the road to greater holiness – which means that he will reveal our weaknesses to us and challenge us to be better. Christianity isn’t comfortable. We have to be ready to discover that we are not as holy and good as we thought we were. Humility is an essential virtue for any true Christian. We need to ask ourselves if we give God the first place at the table in our lives and if we are really listening to his invitation to conquer our defects and grow in sanctity.
 
2. The Quickest Way Up Is to Go Down: Living humility may be difficult sometimes because of our natural tendency to be self-centered, “to look out for #1.” Nonetheless, Jesus teaches that living humility is the gateway to the road that leads to happiness. If we are only looking out for ourselves, seeking the highest “places of honor,” we are bound to be disappointed. God does not reward self-love. Moreover, because of our limitations, we do not know well what is good for us, nor are we able to achieve it without God’s grace. The rewards we can expect from human beings – honors, power, pleasure – are limited in time and quantity, and cannot satisfy our soul, which yearns for God. How often has our pride been the cause of conflict and unhappiness? God will lift us up to true fulfillment only if we get down from our own ivory tower of egotism.
 
3. Save Room for Dessert… If we are humble and seek to serve God instead of our own aggrandizement, then we leave the reward up to God: He will give us the place in his plan that is best for us. God’s reward is always better than what the world can offer because he promises everlasting life and the joy of heaven. Although we don’t know exactly what that will be like, Jesus clearly tells us that it’s so good, we should strive not to be rewarded in this life. That seems to go against common sense – “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” – but if we really have faith in God and his Word, we need to put it into practice. If life is like the banquet of today’s reading, our time in this world is just the appetizer. "What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).
 
Conversation with Christ: Lord, help me to trust in you completely, not seeking myself, but doing my best to serve you with humility and letting you take care of the rest. I know you are all good and loving, and you will not let those who serve you go without their reward.
 
Resolution: Today I will practice humility by putting others first in whatever way I can: yielding to them in conversation, giving them the first choice when possible…

Sunday, September 1 Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Book of Sirach 3,17-18.20.28-29.

My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.

Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.

What is too sublime for you, seek not, into things beyond your strength search not.

The mind of a sage appreciates proverbs, and an attentive ear is the wise man's joy.

Water quenches a flaming fire, and alms atone for sins.

Psalms 68(67),4-5.6-7.10-11.

The just rejoice and exult before God;

they are glad and rejoice.

Sing to God, chant praise to his name;

whose name is the LORD.

The father of orphans and the defender of widows

is God in his holy dwelling.

God gives a home to the forsaken;

he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.

A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance;

you restored the land when it languished;

your flock settled in it;

in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy.

Letter to the Hebrews 12,18-19.22-24.

Brothers and sisters: You have not approached that which could be touched and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness and storm

and a trumpet blast and a voice speaking words such that those who heard begged that no message be further addressed to them,

No, you have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering,

and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, and God the judge of all, and the spirits of the just made perfect,

and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 14,1.7-14.

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."

Then he said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.

Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;

blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

A Prayer and Reflection

 Lord, I believe that you are here with me. I am privileged to have this private audience with you. Aware of my weakness, I hope in your mercy and love. I open my heart now to you, to the wisdom, mercy and good news of your Gospel, for through it you wish to guide me home to rest eternally with you in heaven. Thank you for your boundless love. Take my weak, poor love in return, as it is all I have to offer you.

REFLECTION:

1. This Is How They Will Know You Are My Disciples: Nowadays, words alone are empty; they need to be backed up by actions. All too often we have experienced that zealous politician or marketer who makes promises that we instinctively know are too good to be true. We want to believe the good they promise, but experience has taught us to have a healthy sense of skepticism. Unfortunately, this contemporary disbelief of “too good to be true” could also be said of Christianity. Christians are to be known by their love for one another. In my marriage, with my children, and in my social circle, am I known for my Christ-like love? In particular, am I capable of accepting others as they are, of seeing their way of being in a good light? Though I set high standards, do my spouse and children truly find rest, light and solace in my company?
 
2. Love Has High Standards: The film “Love Story” had a classic line: “Love is never having to say you’re sorry.” As Christians, though, we are aware of our weak nature and tendency to sin. We need to ask pardon – frequently. More often than not, the souls we hurt are those closest to us: our spouse, a child, a parent or in-law. The disciples, too, had their squabbles with each other. The love that bound them exhorted them to make peace with one another as Christ makes peace with his Church: “Father forgive them for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). Is my love great enough to overlook the weaknesses of those who hurt me and turn my wounded ego to compassion and pardon? To err is human, but to forgive is divine.
 
3. Love Is from the Heart: Christ told his disciples, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). This applies as well to harboring grudges in our hearts. Love goes beyond kind words and actions to the very heart of man: to our thoughts. Although it may initially cause distress to our will to think well of those who have hurt us, it is truly therapeutic! Our Lord said, “From the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy” (Matthew 15:19). Likewise, a heart that actively looks for the good in others will form the habit of speaking well and acting kindly towards those who naturally are displeasing. Thinking well of others renews our faith in God’s mercy. If we are merciful, how much more we can expect Our Lord to be patient and merciful with us!