THE TABLE OF HUMILITY

HOMILY FOR THE 22^ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR, C

Rev. Fr. Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi

It is clear that in the Gospel of Luke, much of the teachings of Jesus are done at the table. And for the people of that time, the table’s honour is dependent on the calibre of persons that surround it. It gained more honour than other tables and was indeed considered blessed if there was a scholar to sit at it. Many would prefer teaching at a table due to the light, humorous and lively exchange which might not be found in formal teachings. One could imagine the lively repartee and the close and sharp observations as dishes are passed over and as the cutlery make their movements from the plates to the mouth. What a fine way to learn!!! For that ancient culture, the presence of a Great Teacher like Jesus would make a particular table more blessed and interesting. In the Gospel of today (Luke 14:1.7-14), a leading Pharisee invited Jesus for a meal on the Sabbath day. That must have been a meal of honour with many honourable and distinguished guests.

However, it did appear that these guests had some devious intent other than to come and enjoy the meal: they watched (parateroumenoi) him closely. This simply implies they were watching with a sinister purpose; with a critical and cynical eye for error. They were looking for some mistake rather than being open-minded about their fellow guest, the great Teacher. Jesus then noticed how some of these guests scrambled for the chief seats. During Jesus’ time, the highest seat of honour (the places of honour) was on the right of the host and the next highest on the left, and so the ranking continued alternating back and forth until the lowest ranked person sat the farthest away from the host: the closer one sat to the host, the higher the honour. This scenario would be an opportunity for Jesus ‘to peg this banquet table into the humus.’ This means that Jesus would use the occasion of this banquet to teach the people about the necessity of humility -the table of humility. Thus, this particular Jesus’ table-talk -one, addressed to the guests (on humility) and the other addressed to the host (on self-abnegation)- would be born out of this context.

…TAKE THE LOWEST PLACE… (LESSON ON HUMILITY)

Jesus taught the guests how to comport themselves becomingly as humble guests; they should have simply  waited for the host to allot to them their proper seats. It would amount to discomfort for others or an embarrassment for the guest when they scramble for seats of honour. We could also see ourselves as guests insofar as we are recipients of God’s grace. But how quickly do we forget that all we have is what we have received? Imagining that the credit is ours and clamouring for honour, we become self-opinionated, aggressive, and vying for prestige and popularity. There will be no room for such behaviour at the banquet of heaven. We tend to scramble for places of honour, and many times, block our ears against hearing that admonitory voice of Jesus: take the lowest place. This is a big lesson on humility.

It has to be remembered that humility comes from humus. Every gardener knows how important the humus soil is for agricultural purposes. Humus as a Latin word means earth or ground. It refers to the top-soil layer that contains the organic matter that influences the bulk density of soil and contributes to moisture and nutrient retention. Humus contains many useful nutrients for healthy soil. It is not then surprising that the word humility is derived from this word, for it is a useful virtue for a healthy life. Humility denotes meekness, modesty, and self-effacement and encourages self-denial, self-emptying, sacrifice and lowliness. It does not mean thinking less of oneself or having an undervaluation of one’s talents. It is a quality of being down to earth; having one’s feet on the ground in a sincere acceptance of the seeds of talents sown by God. According to the First Reading (Ecclesiasticus 3:17-20.28-29), humility attracts God’s favours. And just as pride goes before a fall (cf. Prov. 16:18, 22:4), humility brings honour and life (cf. Prov. 22:4). Humility  produces wisdom (cf. Prov. 11:2).

…INVITE THE POOR…(LESSON ON SELF-ABNEGATION)

Jesus taught the host how to invite people for meals; he might need to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind. True humility leads one into self-abnegation and a disinterested charity. Humility cannot be centred around those who can repay. The true charity is one done without the plan of being repaid. Far from downgrading social life or religious fellowship, Jesus pointed out to the host how important it would be to extend his invitation to those who really needed his gifts and services. We could also see ourselves as hosts insofar as we have talents, treasures, health, wealth or position. But, how quickly do we forget that there are a great number of people who do not even have a plan for the next meal? Imagining that we have worked so hard for our success and clamouring for more investments and better life insurances, we become selfish, proud, and seeking after pleasure and attention. There will be no reward for such lifestyles at the resurrection of the righteous. Sometimes, we might tend to be generous only to those who are generous to us, and good to those who are good to us; and many times, block our ears against hearing that admonitory voice of Jesus: invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. This is a lesson on self-abnegation.

This set of people would not be expected to make a return invitation to the host. However, our relationship with them would constitute a great deal of our salvation. And if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday
(cf. Is. 58:10). Having an interest in the poor is highly salvific. This would then amount to a consideration of those whom humanity are inclined to exclude from the table. We could imagine the culture of those ancient times where the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind were even by law forbidden to take part in religious functions. And sometimes, still today, such a culture infiltrates into various aspects of our lives. We tend to exclude others or seclude ourselves from other people because we feel ‘they do not belong here’ or ‘we do not belong there’ and by this very fact live as though to forget that salvation is inclusive.  The truth is this: if it is ‘a table pegged into the humus (humility)’, it has to include all. And the Church in her wisdom constantly invites us to sit at the two tables in the Liturgy, the Word and the Eucharist as the sources of all virtues. The Second Reading (Heb. 12:18-19.22-24) reminds us that the heavenly Jerusalem will be where millions of angels are gathered for the festival, with the whole Church where everyone is a first-born sons and a citizen of heaven. No one is excluded. A humble heart knows that he/she is one out of many other hearts searching for the imperishable crown of glory. May God continue to lead us through this journey. Amen. God bless you.