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A small dose of humility can set you on a better path |
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By Deacon John Knopik
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Wednesday, 25 August 2010 |
It is interesting to read in sacred Scripture about how much time and energy people spent observing Jesus. As it says in the Gospel passage for this Sunday, “The people there were observing him carefully” (Luke 14:1).
Sunday Scriptures
Deacon John Knopik
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There were many different reasons why people took time to gaze on the Lord: to see him speak, to observe some miracle, or, unfortunately, to trap him in his own words.
What most of the Israelites probably did not realize themselves at that
time was that this man from Nazareth, likewise, had an eye on themt.
They probably had no idea how penetrating his eyes were. However,
Scripture says that the eyes of God are “ten thousand times brighter
than the sun, observe every step a man takes and peer into hidden
corners” (Sirach 23:19).
Because Jesus had this so-called X-ray vision, there was not much going
on before him that he missed. Nor could any person exclude his own true
intention from the Messiah, for he was “the witness of his inmost self
and the sure observer of his heart and the listener to his tongue”
(Wisdom 1:6). With his capacity to know the hidden agenda of every
person, our Lord tries to lead people out of the shallow waters of pride
and into the deeper, refreshing waters of humility.
Christ noticed how people were “choosing the places of honor at the
table” (Luke 14:7). That can be a prideful act because one is
purposefully choosing a spot that would draw more attention to oneself
as being someone of importance.
Readings
Sunday, Aug. 29
22nd Sunday in ordinary time
» Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
» Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a
» Luke 14:1, 7-14
For reflection
When have you humbled yourself and exalted another? How did it make you feel?
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Pride attracts problems
What is worse yet is that envy might also arise among those who sit in
the lower places. So, a person taking a place of honor ultimately sets
in motion many troubles.
That action is opposed to the example our Lord had proposed and lived;
he took the form of a slave and did not come to be served, but to serve.
Just as Jesus put others before himself, each one of us is called to
“humbly regard others as more important” (Philippians 2:3) and allow
them a better seat than ours.
In providing this sort of hospitality, we can cherish the fact that our
brother or sister in Christ will feel more dignified as a person and
have greater respect for the one who has done such a kind deed.
Even more important, the reward for such a generous act will be great in heaven, and give the saints something to cheer about.
This is where true happiness and honor can be found — in being humble.
For anyone who exalts himself in this life “will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).
Deacon John Knopik is in formation for the priesthood at the St. Paul
Seminary for the Diocese of St. Cloud. His home parish is Our Lady of
Lourdes in Little Falls and his teaching parish is St. Mary, Help of
Christians in St. Augusta.
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