It is said that when you think you have the virtue of humility it is a sure sign that you do not have it. Today’s readings center around this virtue, which is essential to the life of a Christian if we are to reach our goal of Heaven.
Our First Reading today (Sirach 3:17- 18, 20, 28-29) comes from the Book of Sirach which is a part of what is known as the “Wisdom Literature” of the Old Testament. The “Wisdom Literature” seeks to share advice and guidance on how to lead a life that is pleasing to God. Today’s Reading begins with “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.” Not only will the simple and humble person “find favor with God” (which is the most important thing), but such a person will also be respected by others, which must also be accepted with humility.
Jesus reminds us in the Gospel (Luke 14:1, 7-14) that we ought not to presume to take the place of honor at a celebration. In the parables of Jesus, a wedding feast is often an image for the eternal banquet feast in Heaven. The point Jesus makes is that when invited to the banquet feast of Heaven, as we all are, we ought not to make too many assumptions.
The spiritual life has two extreme sins against hope. One is
despair. Despair is the assumption that we are never good enough for God’s love and so are probably destined to hell. It might sound like humility to say that “I’m just too terrible a person for God to love”, but it isn’t. At its core, despair is the sin of believing that
God is not good enough and not strong enough to forgive and love us. Only someone who has refused the gift of hope can believe that they have sinned enough to make God give up on them. This attitude is also thought to be what the Bible means by “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit” being the only unforgivable sin.
The other extreme in the spiritual life is
presumption. There is a great deal of presumption today. We may presume that by being a decent person we are somehow deserving of going to Heaven. We may forget that Heaven is an invitation – not an entitlement. We may forget that Heaven is a gift – not something that we are owed.
We can turn to the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary if we need an example of authentic humility. Through her “Yes” at the Annunciation, she opened herself completely to God’s will. She invites us to do the same.