Turning Point

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time 01 September 2019
First reading Ecclesiasticus 3:19-21,30-31

My son, be gentle in carrying out your business,
  and you will be better loved than a lavish giver.
The greater you are, the more you should behave humbly,
  and then you will find favour with the Lord;
for great though the power of the Lord is,
  he accepts the homage of the humble.
There is no cure for the proud man’s malady,
  since an evil growth has taken root in him.
The heart of a sensible man will reflect on parables,
  an attentive ear is the sage’s dream.

Second reading                                                          Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24

What you have come to is nothing known to the senses: not a blazing fire, or a gloom turning to total darkness, or a storm; or trumpeting thunder or the great voice speaking which made everyone that heard it beg that no more should be said to them. But what you have come to is Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem where the millions of angels have gathered for the festival, with the whole Church in which everyone is a ‘first-born son’ and a citizen of heaven. You have come to God himself, the supreme Judge, and been placed with spirits of the saints who have been made perfect; and to Jesus, the mediator who brings a new covenant and a blood for purification which pleads more insistently than Abel’s.

Gospel                                                                         Luke 14:1,7-14

On a sabbath day Jesus had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely. He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this, ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man.” And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher.” In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’
  Then he said to his host, ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.’

Reflection

By Benj Santiago

“For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humble himself will be exalted.”

The Gospel Reading for first Sunday of September reminds me of humility in success and or service.

Humility for me is the most difficult virtue to uphold. Maybe because I grew up fighting for recognition among 12 siblings. Maybe because when I was young, I was a short boy (60lbs, 4’6”, 11 years old) struggling to be noticed.  

I had so much pride in me through the years. After finishing my college degree as a full scholar, I joined a company and climbed the corporate ladder faster than my siblings and friends. Till one day I got a humbling experience. I was terminated from my job! 

Hurt and humiliated, I turned to God. What was a humiliating experience became my turning point. It changed me and tamed my pride. From then on, God lifted me up from my miseries. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we pray that You bless our hearts and minds so that we can tame and take control of our pride. May You bless us with a humble heart in times of success, and especially when we serve You and Your people. This we ask in Jesus' Name, Amen!