First Reading • Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
Psalm • Psalm 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11
Second Reading • Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a
Gospel • Luke 14:1, 7-14
A frog once wanted to travel south for the winter, but he couldn’t fly. So, he convinced two birds to carry a stick in their beaks, while he held onto the stick in the middle with his mouth.
As they soared high above the fields, everyone below marveled at the clever idea. “Who thought of that?” one farmer shouted. The frog couldn’t resist. He opened his mouth and said, “It was meee!” – and of course, he fell.
Like that frog, pride often brings us down. Today’s Gospel reminds us that true honor does not come from showing ourselves off, but from humility and trust in God.
Most people on this planet do not even know we exist, and they are doing just fine without us. No matter what we achieve, we all end up in the same place: the grave.
Life has a way of humbling us. Just when we think we are the best, someone better comes along. Just when we believe we have mastered our work; a problem exposes our weakness.
Just when we think our faith is strong, we fall to temptation and are left bewildered.
But if we have God in our hearts, these moments lead us to humility and trust in Him. His presence fills us with peace, patience, and compassion.
A God-filled heart becomes open to others, ready to forgive, and quick to rejoice in their blessings.
When God is pushed out of our hearts, however, envy and pride rush in to take His place.
Such a heart becomes restless, comparing itself to others, jealous of their success, and blind to its own blessings.
It does not see the pain of others, sometimes even finding joy in inflicting suffering, and it closes itself off from genuine love and friendship.
Pride makes us think we are at the center, while envy robs us of joy.
A proud heart is like a mirror. It reflects only the self — my face, my image, my importance. When I hold a mirror, all I see is me. That is what pride does: it makes everything about “me.”
But a humble heart is like a window. A window lets us see beyond ourselves. Through it we notice the struggles of others, their joys, their blessings.
A window lets the light in — just as humility allows God’s grace to shine through us. The choice is ours: do we live looking into the mirror, trapped in self-importance, or do we open the window, letting God’s light fill our hearts and our relationships?
Jesus invites us to see our failures differently. They remind us who our true friends are, and most of all, they make us more compassionate.
This is the gift of humility. Humility reminds us that only God is all-powerful and all-knowing.
It allows us to listen – to others, and to God. It makes space in our hearts for grace. Humility is the soil in which God plants the seed of faith.
The opposite, of course, is pride. Pride demands that we be the center of the universe. It makes others into pawns or obstacles.
It blinds us to their feelings. Worst of all, pride gives us a sense of entitlement, making it impossible to receive grace, which by definition is a free gift.
This Sunday’s Gospel warns us not to mistake humility for etiquette. Jesus’ parable is not about table manners or how to choose seats at a banquet. It is about how God acts.
When life brings us low, others may abandon us – but God never does. His love is irreplaceable. Whatever sins we have committed, He is ready to forgive and welcome us back. There is no limit to His care.
So, when we are embarrassed, humiliated, or become the subject of gossip, before we clench our fists in anger or hide in shame, we should thank God for the chance to be humbled.
We should remember those who are humbled daily by poverty, sickness, or loneliness.
And we should pray that peace, joy, and forgiveness may flood the places in our hearts once ruled by pride and self-assurance.
This leads us to the banquet of the Eucharist.
Today’s second reading reminds us that the blood of Jesus “speaks more eloquently than the blood of Abel.”
In Genesis, Cain killed Abel out of jealousy, and Abel’s blood cried out for justice.
But the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross, cries out for mercy – for forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
Jesus Himself is our greatest model of humility. Though He is the Son of God, He chose to become one of us.
He accepted the pain of human life. He was mocked and ridiculed.
He even gave His life on the cross so that we might live. If He is so humble, then why can we not follow?
When we are as content in the lowest place as we would be in the highest, then God can lift us to true honor.
For when we humble ourselves, God Himself raises us – not to worldly glory, but to the everlasting banquet of His Kingdom.
So, let us come to the Eucharistic table today not with prideful hearts, but with the humility of Jesus, ready to receive His mercy and to share His love with others.
