The one who humbles himself will be exalted
Published Oct 29, 2022 12:05 am
REFLECTIONS TODAY
Today’s Gospel tells of Jesus’ parable about humility. It teaches us how we should conduct ourselves when we are being invited in any banquet. It challenges us to choose the lowest or last place (eschaton topon) instead of the “place of honor” (prōtoklisia). People tend not to choose the “last place.” If people end up in “last places,” it is normally because they are left with no other options. But for a Christian, the “last place” becomes the first choice. The prōtoklisia being referred to in the Gospel is the seat at a dinner beside the master of the house or the host. What makes a prōtoklisia an honorable place is the fact that the one sitting there is nearest to the host. When we are humble, we are nearest to Jesus who humbled himself (Phil 2:6-11). Therefore, we are truly honored when we are humble.
Do we truly possess the virtue of humility? If we lack this virtue, do we ask God for it? How do we make the virtue of humility operational in our daily life?
Gospel • Luke 14:1, 7-11
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.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
Today’s Gospel tells of Jesus’ parable about humility. It teaches us how we should conduct ourselves when we are being invited in any banquet. It challenges us to choose the lowest or last place (eschaton topon) instead of the “place of honor” (prōtoklisia). People tend not to choose the “last place.” If people end up in “last places,” it is normally because they are left with no other options. But for a Christian, the “last place” becomes the first choice. The prōtoklisia being referred to in the Gospel is the seat at a dinner beside the master of the house or the host. What makes a prōtoklisia an honorable place is the fact that the one sitting there is nearest to the host. When we are humble, we are nearest to Jesus who humbled himself (Phil 2:6-11). Therefore, we are truly honored when we are humble.
Do we truly possess the virtue of humility? If we lack this virtue, do we ask God for it? How do we make the virtue of humility operational in our daily life?
Gospel • Luke 14:1, 7-11
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.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.