Today’s Gospel presents us with Jesus at a banquet, watching as people hurriedly take the places of honor at the table. Then He teaches: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Humility does not mean pretending to be less, or looking down on ourselves. True humility is recognizing the truth, that everything we are and everything we have is a gift from God. A humble person does not need to boast, because their worth is not found in appearances or achievements, but in being a beloved child of God.
Jesus then goes further. He says that when we host a banquet, we should not invite only those who can repay us, but rather the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. In other words, our love must be free and generous, without expecting anything in return. That is the kind of love that reflects the very heart of God.
We live in a culture that often values recognition, prestige, and being first. But Christ shows us another way. The true place of honor is not earned by climbing over others but by serving them. The reward we seek is not earthly praise, but eternal life with God.
Let us pray for the grace of humility: The humility to serve rather than to be served. The humility to live truthfully, without pretense or pride. The humility to recognize Christ in the poor, the forgotten, and the overlooked.
WE ARE MISSIONARIES: The last command of Jesus to his disciples was “Go into the whole world and make disciples…” This is the mission of every baptized person. Some of us give to the mission by going, but we can all go to the mission by giving. We have missionaries visiting us today asking for our collaboration in mission of the Church. Let us be generous.
MEET OUR SEMINARIAN – SEAN-MATTHEW FLORES. I am excited to have him with us for a year, helping in the different pastoral ministries here in our parish. Join me in welcoming him to Holy Family.
God is Good, All the Time!
Father Tony Udoh, MSP
Pastor of Holy Family
