22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: “Honors, Titles and Humility”

Thinking about humility as a theme of our gospel, two former first ladies come to mind. Barbara Bush once offering the commencement speech at Smith College told the audience that, and I paraphrase, on your deathbed you will not miss having finalized one more contract or  missing out on another deal, rather the times missed with children, spouses, friends, and in doing good in our community will be our regrets. It implies humility and selecting the righteous things in life.  Eva Duarte de Peron, “ in the play Evita,” the Argentine first lady sings a song as she is dying from cancer and acknowledging being defeated from within by her husband’s government for her run for vice president, makes her “Final Broadcast”  attempting to rewrite history with these words: “I want to tell the people of Argentina I have decided I should decline all the honors and  titles you’ve pressed me to take…” in her attempt to blame the people for her desire for power,  position and wealth…I did it for you…for all of you. She lacks humility.

Humility inspires us to seek the righteous over the self; the desire for power, or prestige or position can take us away from the righteous and into ultimate sadness. The context of today’s  gospel has Jesus teaching us—at a meal—about the importance of humility and the proper attitude for us to have toward others. In the application for everyday Catholic living, we are called to practice humility and to live out in our daily lives a respect for all others, especially the marginalized. We are urged to actively participate in charity and hospitality, thus reflecting Christ’s love. Spiritually, this gospel asks us to recognize that true greatness in the Kingdom of God is not found in status, wealth, street addresses or in the clothes we wear. It is found in the good (righteous) things we do.