Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a; Luke 14:1, 7-14
The Book of Sirach furnishes this weekend’s first Scripture reading. Sirach is among those biblical volumes collectively called the “wisdom literature,” a designation meaning that these books show that the Jews’ ancient faith in the one God of Israel, and their insistence that God’s law be obeyed, are in no way illogical or unreasonable.
To the contrary, a person who possesses genuine wisdom realizes the fact that God lives and reigns and knows that all persons and all things are subject to God.
This weekend’s reading expressly refers to humility.
While humility is associated with Christian theology and spirituality, humility was a virtue very much admired, and evident, in the Old Testament. This especially was the case with many of the prophets, and even some of the kings.
For instance, while David, whom God had chosen to be king, eventually rebelled against God and sin, he, in the end, humbly turned back to God, repenting his sins.
“Sirach,” the name of this book, derives from the name of the author, mentioned in the book — Yeshua (or Jesus in English), the son of Sira. This book was written in Egypt, by Jewish immigrants from the Holy Land, or possibly by descendants of such immigrants, around 132 BC.
The date of composition can be determined because the early verses say that it was authored during the reign of Pharaoh Ptolemy VII, the dates of which are known.
The Epistle to the Hebrews is the source of the second reading.
The reading is strong with Hebrew symbolism and references to Hebrew history. It recalls that whereas the ancient followers of Moses — the Hebrews who were escaping slavery in Egypt — had with trepidation crossed the forbidding Sinai Peninsula and trembled as God came to Moses on the mountaintop, true disciples of Jesus are ushered literally into the heavenly Jerusalem, the very home of the Almighty God.
St. Luke’s Gospel supplies the last reading.
In this story, the Lord is a guest at a meal in the home of a Pharisee. Jesus uses the occasion to warn that no one should seek the highest place. Rather, the humble person who is content with a lesser place will be called to higher distinction.
The reading makes two other points.
First, God cannot be tricked into tolerating anyone’s self-engineered passage into the heavenly kingdom. Second — so important in a world fixated on things — property is not so absolutely anyone’s possession that its production or use is free from moral considerations. Honoring human dignity is paramount.
Emphasizing the call to humility is in the detail that a Pharisee is the host. Pharisees, well-schooled in Jewish theology, on top of the mountain, supposedly knew everything about life. Jesus had to set him straight.
Reflection
Followers of Jesus always have treasured humility, a virtue also revered in the Old Testament. Humility reveals reality. Every human being is limited, even the wealthiest, smartest or most celebrated.
Where are Napoleon Bonaparte, Thomas Edison and Babe Ruth? Like every human, they died.
Humility teaches another lesson. God has raised us up. He rescues us from the consequence of our sins. He empowers us. He gives Jesus to us.
So, humans are blessed in their very being, in their nature.
This week Americans celebrate Labor Day, a day to consider the ingenuity and productivity of humans, but also to recognize the inherent dignity of each person.
Nothing more characterizes the Catholic Church, in history, and now, than its outreach to people in need, because the church honors their dignity.
Pope Leo XIV is clear and emphatic. A Christian’s love for anyone else, everyone else, cannot be qualified or diminished. It is the way of Christ.
As always, but especially today, it has powerful, immediate implications.