Lk. 14:1, 7-14
One of our professors, a well known theologian went to London to partake in an academic programme. His brother who is a Jesuit happened to be there. So he was invited for a supper in that Jesuit community. When he reached there, they welcomed him warmly. They had a good time especially meeting his brother after a long time. After the supper, everyone left the refectory, and the brothers remained there. But one of the members of that community, a rather senior priest was helping out the staff in clearing the vessels and used plates. Our professor was taken aback by this man’s generosity and enquired about this man. His brother expressed his surprise and great awe, because his brother should know him. After a few moments of uncertainty and realizing that his brother is unable to identify the man, he revealed the identity of that person. It was none other than Karl Rahner, a great theologian of our time, who brought a revolutionary change in the world of theology by giving it an existential dimension… Our professor could not believe that moment, all through his teaching career he taught vehemently about the theological contributions of Karl Rahner but now recognized his real greatness…his humility…
The central message of the gospel passage is humility. “For everyone who raises himself up will be humbled and the one who humbles will be raised up.” As a Christian our identity should be marked with the virtue of humility. There is a natural tendency in us to consider ourselves as superior to the other or to exercise our power over the other. All of us want to be recognized by others. This hidden motive can be expressed in various ways such as: craving for power, showing off talents, treating others as inferior etc. If we have such tendencies in us, we must try our best to imbibe the virtue of humility that is manifested in the person of Jesus. “Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death…” (Philip. 2:6-9)
In our context this passage deserves special attention from our part. Our service should be marked with humility. What we are – it may be our social status, the authority that we possess, financial status, etc – is a gift from God. When we think that we have earned everything through our own effort and begin to forget the Lord who graciously gifted all these, we tend to become proud. This pride distances us from God and our fellow brethren. It will be manifested in various ways especially the thinking pattern, that we are better off than others. When we remain humble and others recognize God’s gift in us then we are glorifying God through our life… May our life reflect the humility and selfless service of Jesus…