Humility

Readings for the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time can be found at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/082816.cfm.

Many years ago, Christian professor Stuart Blackie of the University of Edinburgh was listening to his students as they presented oral readings. When one young man rose to begin his recitation, he held his book in the wrong hand. The professor thundered, "Take your book in your right hand, and be seated!" At this harsh rebuke, the student held up his right arm. He didn't have a right hand! The other students shifted uneasily in their chairs. For a moment the professor hesitated. Then he made his way to the student, put his arm around him, and with tears streaming from his eyes, said, "I never knew about it. Please, will you forgive me?" His humble apology made a lasting impact on that young man. This story was told some time later in a large gathering of believers. At the close of the meeting a man came forward, turned to the crowd, and raised his right arm. It ended at the wrist. He said, "I was that student. Professor Blackie led me to Christ. But he never could have done it if he had not made the wrong right." That professor demonstrated what it means to be humble and to be a follower of Christ.

Our readings for today from Sirach and the Gospel of St. Luke center around humility. Humility isn't poor self-esteem; it's worlds away from that. Truly humble people actually have very good self-esteem. It's also not a blanket refusal to take any credit. It is not diverting a compliment so vigorously  that people perhaps think, "Wow - that person is humble!" Thomas Merton once said, "A humble person is not disturbed by praise. A person who is not humble cannot accept praise gracefully."

The word "humility" comes from the Latin word humus, meaning the ground, soil, earth. But that does not mean humility is thinking of oneself as dirt. The phrase "down to earth" means not conceited, not speaking words designed to impress. A humble person is down to earth. Humility is recognizing realty. When humble people do something good, they think, "Yes I did something good - through the grace of God. I will not advertise it. I will be simply grateful."

There are many people who are so self-centered that they only worry about their own cares and concerns. They lack the humility that thrives in freedom from bondage to one-self. Bondage to self is the compulsion to make oneself the main consideration in decisions, transactions, ventures, projects, plans, relationships and general attitude. Cutting those bonds is a slow process, especially if "looking out for Number One" has been part of our life for a long time. We do well to remember that "all things are possible with God."

A few ways we can break away from this bondage to self, is to let others take credit for what was originally your idea. Defer to another or others in choosing a TV show, a movie, a restaurant, a cake (even if it's your birthday). Or you can do something good and not say a word to anyone about it.

Alcoholics Anonymous "Third Step Prayer" says the following: "Relieve me of bondage to self, that I may better do your will." We can pray this as a prayer daily as we deal with the problems of life that we face each day. 

Jesus often used exaggeration to make a point, so taking him literally would not be wise. As an example, Jesus said, "If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out." Inviting only the poor, crippled, lame, and blind to, lets say, Thanksgiving dinner isn't quite that radical, but it would certainly hurt excluded family members.

What Jesus is teaching us in today's Gospel is to stop thinking, "What's in this for me?" Jesus is teaching us that we shouldn't do something good hoping for a payback. We shouldn't give aid, whether it's physical, financial, or other, with a view toward making the recipient feel indebted to us. That would be using them. Do good for them and expect nothing back. If gratitude is forthcoming, it's a perk, not a condition.

Jesus said the truth will set us free. As we approach the Eucharist this week, let us ask to understand the truth about ourselves and to receive freedom from bondage of self.