THE HUMILITY THAT OPENS HEAVEN’S DOOR

Homily for the Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Bible Readings: Sirach 3:17-20, 28-29; Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24; Luke 14:1, 7-14

A wise elder once told a young man who was eager for greatness: “The taller the tree grows, the deeper its roots must go into the ground. Otherwise, the wind will bring it down.” The elder was teaching him that humility is the root of greatness. Without humility, every achievement and honor collapses under the weight of pride.

This story captures the heart of today’s readings: the call to humility. The first reading from Sirach (3:17-20, 28-29) advises: “My child, perform your tasks with humility; then you will be loved by those whom God accepts… the greater you are, the more you must humble yourself.” In the biblical tradition, humility is not weakness. Rather, it is truth: truth about who we are before God. Everything we are - our talents, our success, our position - is gift. The proud forget this truth, but the humble live it daily.

The Gospel reading gives us a living parable of humility. Jesus notices how people scramble for the places of honor at a banquet. He advises: “When you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place… For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Jesus is not simply teaching social etiquette. He is teaching us about the kingdom of God, the heavenly feast, where true greatness is not measured by how high we rise above others, but how low we are willing to stoop in service and love.

The second reading from the letter to the Hebrews (12:18-24) gives us another dimension to humility. It contrasts the terrifying scene of Mount Sinai with the joyful approach to Mount Zion, the city of the living God. Those who approach Mount Zion are those whose hearts are humble, because they know they come not by their own merit but by the saving blood of Jesus Christ, the mediator of the new covenant. Humility, then, is what allows us to enter into God’s presence with confidence. 

From the readings, we learn the following about the virtue of humility. First, humility is the doorway to true relationships. Many quarrels in families, communities, and even in the Church come because people are too proud to listen, too proud to say “sorry,” too proud to forgive. Humility allows love to flow freely. Second, humility is the key to service. Jesus tells us in the Gospel not only to avoid seeking honor but also to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind to our table. In other words, true humility moves us to care for those who cannot repay us. This is the kind of love that mirrors God’s love - generous, selfless, unconditional.

Third, humility prepares us for heaven. At the end of our lives, when we stand before God, we will not boast of our achievements, positions, or wealth. What will count is the humility with which we loved, served, and walked with God.

Dear friend, in a world that tells us to compete, to show off, and to always sit in the best places, Jesus reminds us today: “Choose the last place.” Because in God’s eyes, it is not about how high we climbed, but how low we stooped in love. Let us pray for the grace to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8), to be servants of one another, and to remember that humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less, so that God and others may find a place in our hearts. May we learn to root our lives in humility, so that, like the tree in the elder’s story, we may grow tall and strong, not for our glory, but for the glory of God. Amen.