THE ONE FOR WHOM WE LONG
In today's Gospel of Luke the Pharisees are an important and
honored part of Jewish society. Jesus is invited by a leading Pharisee to a
Sabbath dinner. While seated, He observed how the other invited guests
scrambled to be seated at a place of honor because, at least in their minds,
they deserved such honor. God rules over the whole world and He cares for all
the Jewish people regardless of their status. Jesus then tells a parable that
reminds us all that our heavenly Father honors those who are humble and who
seek the honor of Him rather than their own. In other words, Jesus reminds them
of the true meaning of the Sabbath meal they are eating - God cares not for
social status but for justice and holiness in communities.
Today I read about the most popular Hindu scripture that
repeatedly urges, "Do your work, your deeds, without thought of reward;
act without selfish desire." The Mass and the Scriptures we hear are in
many ways a school of selflessness. In them is put before us the self-sacrifice
and self-abandonment of the Lord. In God's Word and in the Eucharist we are
strengthened to share this most demanding virtue. True humility frees us to be
our true selves and to avoid despair and pride. To be humble we do not wear a
mask or put on a façade in order to look good in the sight 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. It frees us to love
and serve.
In the Letter to the Philippians, Paul, imprisoned for preaching
the Gospel, trusts that he will never be put to shame for his hope, but that
Christ Jesus will be exalted through him, and he with Christ.
We pray in the Responsorial Psalm, "My soul is thirsting
for the living God. The One for Whom we long" (Ps 42:3).