A few years ago, there was a wedding reception at a large, beautiful banquet hall. A man walked in, confidently made his way to a table near the front, one clearly marked for immediate family, and sat down. Minutes later, the bride’s father arrived and gently said, “I’m sorry, sir, this table is reserved. Your seat is a little farther back.” The man looked embarrassed, got up quietly, and walked to the back of the hall. What a humbling experience it must have been for the man.
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus watches people scramble for the best seats at a banquet and says: “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you, he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” That is not just good advice for a dinner party. It is a glimpse into how the kingdom of God works. It is about knowing who we are before God, and how we relate to others, not based on status, but on grace.
The first reading, from Sirach, echoes this beautifully: “My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.” In other words, humility is not just a virtue for beginners in the spiritual life; it is for the great, the wise, the powerful. The more responsibility and influence you have, the more humility you need.
And then, the Psalm gives us a striking image of what that looks like in God’s eyes: “God gives a home to the forsaken… He leads forth prisoners to prosperity.” God does not look for those in the spotlight. He lifts up the ones no one notices. He finds the forgotten. He honors the lowly. And he invites us to do the same.
Now, let us be honest: humility is often misunderstood. Some people think it means being weak, quiet, passive, or letting yourself be walked on. Others assume humility means denying your gifts or hiding your talents, talking yourself down, or hiding in the background. But real humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Humility is not putting yourself down; it is lifting others up. Humility is truth. It is seeing ourselves clearly, without exaggeration or shame. It is knowing that everything we are and everything we have are gifts from God, not just for us to keep but to share with others.
And there is tremendous power in humility. It builds bridges, heals relationships, invites others to cooperate with us, and leaves a lot of space for divine grace to work in and through us. It allows us to grow because it opens us to learn. History and the Bible provide numerous examples of individuals who were elevated through humility. For instance, Moses, considered the most humble man on earth, was chosen by God to lead an entire nation. Mary, the Mother of God, described herself as the handmaid of the Lord, and she was exalted above all women. She emptied herself of herself, and she became full of grace. St Joseph did not say a single word in the Bible, but quietly protected the Holy Family, and is now venerated around the world. St Therese of Lisieux never traveled far, never preached to crowds, and died young, yet she became a Doctor of the Church. Nelson Mandela, after 27 years in prison, came out not with bitterness but with grace and humbly led a nation to reconciliation. Humility may look like a low seat, but in God’s banquet, the lowest seat is often closest to him.
So, in our daily lives, what are some concrete ways to practice humility? At home, we can listen more than we speak. Serve without waiting to be thanked. In school, we can learn instead of boasting. At work, we can do our job with excellence, even when no one notices. In church, we can take the least popular tasks. Clean up after others. Make room for newer, younger, and unnoticed members. In prayer, we can recognize our need for God. We should thank him more than we demand favors from him. And when we are tempted to compete, compare, or promote ourselves, let us remember that not only did Jesus invite us to be humble, but he was humble, and God exalted him above all and gave him a name above every other name. We take the lowest seats at gatherings not because we are worthless, but because we know that our worth comes from God, not from status, applause, or seating position.
As we reflect on this mother of all virtues, humility, let us pray that God may teach us the strength of humility, free us from the need to impress, help us to take the low place with joy, and trust that God sees, knows, and in his time, he will raise us up. Amen.
Homily for 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C 2025
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