God Exalts Those Who Humble Themselves
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about humility through the imagery of a banquet. He notices how people choose places of honor for themselves and teaches that the one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. His words are not just a lesson in social etiquette—they are a revelation of how the Kingdom of God works.
Our pastor reminds us that humility is one of the greatest treasures of the Christian life. To be humble is to see ourselves truthfully—our dignity as children of God and our limitations as sinners in need of mercy. This echoes the wisdom of Ben Sira in the Book of Sirach: “Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.” Centuries later, this wisdom is still alive, reminding us that humility is the foundation of virtue and the path to divine favor.
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted".
Luke 14:11
The word “humility” itself comes from the Latin “humilis,” meaning “low” or “of the earth.” Saints, philosophers, and even poets across time have recognized the strength that comes from humility. St. Bernard called it the virtue by which a person knows themselves honestly as they are. Pythagoras urged, “Man, know thyself, and thou shalt know the universe and God.” To know ourselves is to recognize our dependence on God, to admit that on our own we fall short, but through grace we are lifted.
Scripture does not shy away from this truth: “There is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). St. Paul echoes it: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But he also offers hope: “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). Our failures do not define us; God’s mercy does.
A story humorously reminds us of this lesson. A man prayed aloud, “Lord, make me successful and keep me humble.” His wife added, “Lord, make him successful, and I will keep him humble.” Whether in jest or truth, the wisdom is clear: pride is a dangerous trap, and humility keeps our hearts aligned with God.
Jesus points to the heavenly banquet as the ultimate reward for humility. It is not about choosing the highest seat, but about letting God decide where we belong. At His eternal feast, pride and self-promotion hold no weight. Instead, it is mercy, righteousness, and humility of heart that grant us a place of honor. The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us of this destination: “The city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering” (Hebrews 12:22).
Humility, then, is not weakness but strength. It opens the doors of grace, shields us from pride, and guides us to exaltation. When we walk humbly before God, we are not diminished—we are lifted. For at the banquet of eternity, the Lord Himself welcomes the lowly and sets them in places of honor.
Today, as we reflect on Christ’s teaching, may we pray for the grace to remain humble in our words, actions, and hearts. In a world that often tells us to push forward and take the highest place, may we instead choose the path of Christ—the way of humility—trusting that God Himself will exalt us in due time.