Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time ‘C’

The main message of today’s readings is clear and timeless: humility is essential for living the kind of generous, compassionate life that God wants from us. These readings challenge us to let go of pride and self-promotion, and instead open our hearts, minds, and hands to those in

need. True humility isn’t just a virtue - it’s a way of recognizing our personal responsibility to care for the poor, the marginalized, and anyone society overlooks. 

In the First Reading, Sirach tells us that real humility wins us favor with God and makes us more lovable to others. In other words, when we don’t show off or act superior, people respect us more, and God draws closer to us. 

The Letter to the Hebrews offers another reason to practice humility: Jesus Himself was humble. He didn’t seek status or recognition, and He even suffered and died for us. If we truly want to follow Jesus, we need to adopt that same kind of humility - especially in how we treat those who have less than us. 

In the Gospel story, Jesus links humility to something practical: how we act at a dinner party. He says not to rush for the best seats or try to get noticed. Instead, we should be willing to take the lowest place and leave it up to our host to honor us. This isn’t just about table manners - Jesus is telling us to honor and include those whom society usually ignores. When we care for people in need, we can trust that God will bless us. 

So, how do we live with humility in our daily lives? We start by realizing that everything we have - our talents, opportunities, and resources - is a gift from God. That doesn’t mean putting ourselves down or denying our abilities. Instead, we recognize both our strengths and our weaknesses, and we see ourselves as God’s beloved children. Our real value comes not from what we own or achieve, but from the fact that God loves us. 

Practicing humility also means changing how we see and treat others. Jesus calls us to step out of our comfort zones and connect with people who are often left out or looked down upon—the homeless, the sick, the elderly, and anyone struggling. We’re meant to serve them with love, not out of pity, but recognizing our shared dignity as God’s children. 

Let us remember, humility is about using whatever we have to help others, not to make ourselves look better. It’s about lifting others up rather than climbing over them. By doing this, we not only follow Jesus’ example, but we also build a kinder and more just world - one small act of humility at a time.