General. In an age when God has been rendered as a mere concept, where His power and glory have been diminished to equality and fairness, the real meaning of all this is that man considers himself to possess God’s attributes and that he does not require faith or humility. In Eastern Churches we still see the congregation approaching the Eucharist with awe and faith, which is the right manner about celebrating an eternal sacrifice rather than a simple memorial of the Last Supper. Let us pray God in this Eucharist that we may have the humility which comes from faith in the Real Presence.

Book of Sirach. God’s mercy is shown to whosoever is humble, just as human recognition is given to a person who does not lord it over everybody. Wisdom is achieved through humility inasmuch as a humble man would be in syntony with simple things which in themselves contain full knowledge.

Epistle to the Hebrews. The author plays on the words Sinai, where the Law was given, and Sion, the holy mountain, city of the living God. St Paul, and early Christians for that matter coming out of Judaism, quite often mention the distinction between the Law which in its rigidity portends death and the freedom which Christ and Baptism give to humanity, giving us adoption and naming us as free sons of God in the brotherhood of Jesus.

St Luke. Jesus was more than a democrat in the real sense of the word. He loved everyone, the poor and the humble especially, and inveighed against anybody who had it over others due to his power and might. Choosing the last place is a guarantee of entering the kingdom of heaven where the road leading to it is narrow and unsmooth. Humility in the face of discomfort is the keyword to this Sunday’s theme.

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