Today’s First Reading from Sirach and the Gospel from Luke both involve the theme of “humility.” Sirach counsels his child to conduct his affairs with humility because the more people humble themselves, the more they will find favor with God. Jesus has the same message in his parable about taking the lowest place at a banquet table. He cautions that taking the highest place may lead to embarrassment when being asked to move down. Taking the lower position may be rewarded by being asked by the host to move up the table. Jesus’s message is that “one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus also emphasizes the importance of inviting the disadvantaged to the banquet rather than one’s peers who can repay with a return invitation. What is Jesus trying to get us to understand here? He is trying to convey how life should be as we strive to build the Kingdom of God on earth. When we hear the word “humbled” or “humility,” we shouldn’t think of weakness or fear or failure. No, the opposite is true. True humility requires great strength of character. Choosing to put God and others ahead of ourselves goes against our human nature and self-interest. Our culture would tell us to claim the most prestigious seat and fight to keep it, interacting only with those who we think can repay us. But Jesus is calling us as disciples to strive for a higher level of living. It is one where our “wants” are subordinate to God and others. God desires us to reach this higher level because He loves us and knows that is where we, too, will receive true happiness and joy. And Jesus reminds us that even greater joy awaits us in heaven, “For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Reflection by parishioner, Dale Gerber