Be Humble and Rejoice
First, a brief thought on the Gospel. This is a marvelous Gospel, and very often, we miss the power in it. We also miss the wonderful pushiness of Jesus. Jesus was at dinner at a Pharisee’s home. We don’t see that very often in the Gospels. Most often, he is dining with sinners and outcasts. But some daring Pharisee invited him, and Jesus went to dinner. Remember, the Pharisees were the upper crust of society. They were dressed in fine clothes and saw themselves as so far above the ordinary folks. They were tasked with keeping the rest of the community in line and ensuring they were faithful to the law. You can be sure no riffraff was at the dinner.
Jesus proceeds to lecture them about their arrogance and seeking the highest places. He is not just talking about dinner. He is talking about the Kingdom of God. In a sense, Jesus chastises them for their pushiness and their attitudes. I bet He wasn’t the most popular guy at the party when He got done telling them that the outcasts and sinners would have higher places in heaven than they did.
This reading and the first reading are both essentially about humility. So often, humility is considered being downcast and shying away from the spotlight. It just doesn’t sit right with me that we are called to humility if humility means being a doormat. The last thing our God would want for us would be to be downtrodden and beat ourselves up for how lowly and sinful we are.
That is what I have been struggling with. But, of course, pride is not seen as a virtue, and humility is. But there is a distinction between being prideful and having pride and being humble and being a doormat.
Saint Theresa of Avila said, “Humility is truth.” She was on to something. I would also say that humility is living in freedom and joy. Humility is not at all about being meek and withdrawn. Humility is about fun and celebration. It is living in the absolute truth of who we are and celebrating that truth. Humility can see and recognize the gifts I have been given and then use them. It also has eyes wide open to acknowledge the gifts of others and rejoice with them when they use their talents to their fullest.
That means if you were gifted with musical talent, then play and sing loud and strong. Entertain, have fun, and give others joy. Then, when the compliments come, accept them joyfully and thank the God who gifted you with musical ability.
If I am gifted with dance, then I dance. With intelligence, I use my ability to make the world better for all. I may be gifted with creativity, a listening and compassionate heart, or any other of the myriad gifts God freely gives us. And I must use that gift to its fullest with exuberant joy. Humility is making God’s world better because we are in it. And doing that without ever losing touch with the Giver of all gifts.
God pours out His blessings on each of us. Humility is recognizing God’s gifts and using them to their fullest to make the world a happier, more welcoming, joyous place for all. Not only that, we must take pride in our gifts when we receive accolades. It means we are glorifying God.
It is only dangerous and prideful when we forget who the author of the gift was. I am on a slippery slope when I think it is all about me and how good or talented I am. That is pride inspired by the Evil One. It is the pride of original sin.
Use your talents and gifts to make the world more joyful, unified, and happy. Just always keep an eye on God who has gifted you first.
In our society, we so often rank gifts and talents. Athletic ability is more important than the gift of teaching. The gift of preaching is more significant than housekeeping. Again this is a danger zone where Evil wiggles his way in, making some better and some less important.
Every gift given by God is equal and of equal importance. I would suggest it is prideful not to accept, as perfect, the gifts we have been given. It is prideful not to use them for good. It is prideful to deem our gifts and talents less significant than others.
God gives, and in humility, we receive. Then we rejoice, celebrate and use the gifts God has given us. We just need to keep one eye on the Giver knowing all accolades that come from the gift belong to Him.
In God’s Unending Love,
Gwen
