Scripture: Luke 14:1, 7-11
1 One sabbath when he went to dine at the house of a ruler who belonged to the Pharisees, they were watching him. 7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he marked how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 "When you are invited by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest a more eminent man than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, `Give place to this man,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, `Friend, go up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Meditation: Who wants to be last? Isn't it only natural to desire respect and esteem from others? Jesus' parable of the guests invited to the marriage feast probes our motives for seeking honor and position. Self-promotion is most often achieved at the expense of others! Jesus' parable reinforces the teaching of Proverbs: Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great; for it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of the prince (Proverbs 25:6-7).
True humility frees us to be our true selves as God sees us
What is true humility and why should we make it a characteristic
mark of our life and action? True humility is not feeling bad
about yourself, or having a low opinion of yourself, or thinking
of yourself as inferior to others. True humility frees us from
preoccupation with ourselves, whereas a low self-opinion tends to
focus our attention on ourselves. Humility is truth in
self-understanding and truth in action. Viewing ourselves
truthfully, with sober judgment, means seeing ourselves the way
God sees us (Psalm 139:1-4). A humble person makes a realistic
assessment of himself or herself without illusion or pretense to
be something he or she is not. The humble regard themselves
neither smaller nor larger than they truly are.
True humility frees us to be our true selves and to avoid despair and pride. A humble person does not have to wear a mask or put on a facade in order to look good to others, especially to those who are not really familiar with that person. The humble are not swayed by accidentals, such as fame, reputation, success, or failure.
True humility frees us to love and serve selflessly for the
good of others
Humility is the queen or foundation of all the other virtues
because it enables us to view and judge ourselves correctly, the
way God sees us. Humility leads to true self-knowledge, honesty,
realism, strength, and dedication to give ourselves to something
greater than ourselves. Humility frees us to love and serve others
selflessly, for their sake, rather than our own. Paul the Apostle,
gives us the greatest example and model of humility in the person
of Jesus Christ, who emptied himself, taking the form of a
servant,being born in the likeness of men. And being found in
human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death,
even death on a cross (Philippians 2:7-8). The Lord Jesus
gives grace - his abundant favor and help - to all who humbly seek
him. Do you want to be a servant as Jesus served?
"Lord Jesus, you became a servant for my sake to set me free from the tyranny of sin, selfishness, and conceit. Help me to be humble as you are humble and to love freely and graciously all whom you call me to serve."
Psalm 68:4-8a, 10-11Scripture quotations from Common Bible:
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright
1973, and Ignatius Edition of the Revised Standard
Version of the Bible, copyright 2006, by the
Division of Christian Education of the National
Council of the Churches of Christ in the United
States of America. Used by permission. All rights
reserved. Citation references for quotes from
the writings of the early church fathers can be
found here.
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