Sunday Homily, Sept. 2, 2007, 22nd of Ordinary Time
Readings: Sirach 3, 17-29; Psalm 68; Hebrews 12, 18-24; Luke 14, 1-14
Sirach: this book was written after Jesus died. It is basically a compilation of traditional Jewish wisdom material. Our reading focuses on being humble and wise.
Humility a Side Effect?
A good friend of mine told me recently about a trip he made to Central Market. It was a week day, so the store was not so crowded. He went to the deli counter and there about a half a dozen people waiting. Normally, when it is more crowded, customers take a number and wait to get the number called to get served.
Because of the small number of customers this afternoon, people were not taking numbers. My friend said that often in a case like this people might try to jump ahead or get the sales person’s attention before it went to another customer. However, on this occasion people actually told the sales person, "No. It is not my turn. He is ahead of me." And everyone was doing this. No jumping the line. Waiting with patience and courtesy.
In Luke today he talks about taking the first place. In fact, it is suggested that you take the second or last place so that you may be called up to the front of the line. Some observations about this.
First, when I was going through the 2 year Jesuit novitiate emphasis was put on being humble. Folks, I never felt comfortable with this. Today I would rather focus on healthy humility being self acceptance. Humility is really a side effect of self acceptance. Self acceptance says, "Who cares whether I am first or last."
Second, I would even propose that if I have to be last or first, that need could be a symptom of something else, like a low self image or a sense of inferiority. Maybe religious scruples or a religion addiction.
Thirdly, I would suggest that if I am choosinjg the last place or acting humbly so I will win esteem, whoa. As the (famous?) poet David Budbill says,
I want to famous so I can be humble about being famous. What good is this humility when I am stuck in this obscurity?
Fourth, about inviting the guests to dinner. Rosemary says that the reason I get invited to so many dinners is because I fulfill all the requirements: poor, crippled, lame, and blind.
Not to beat the acceptance idea to death, but I think a possible healthy approach is through acceptance of others as well as myself. Ultimately, it is irrelevant whether you or I are rich or poor. We are all rich and poor. If I only focus on the materially rich or white or being from Plano Senior High or whatever, then maybe I got a problem and this may be the leading symptom. Remember low self image?
Those folks in Central Market seem to have had some level of humility or acceptance.
So, how are you doing accepting, yourself & others?
Megan, our September bread baker:
AUDIO: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2007-09-02.mp3
Take this profile to find out your possible length of life: http://www.poodwaddle.com/realage.swf I will let you know my results next Sunday.
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