Posted by Romo Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno OP on September 1, 2019
Posted in renungan | Tagged With: English, Sunday Reflection
Reflection on the 22nd Sunday in the
Ordinary Time [C]
September 1, 2019
Luke 14: 1, 7-14
Humility is
actually being simple and doing simple, yet it is so simple that many of us
find it difficult to be and do. It seems
paradoxical but it is the reality that we experience in our day to day life. It
is because we are living in the world that is so proud with itself and it
continuously influences us to become proud as well. We can practically be proud
of anything. We can be proud of our personality, family and clan, personal
achievements, successful careers and status in life. We can be proud of the
good things we have done or even the bad things we have committed. Eventually,
the awful irony in our life is when we are even proud of our humility.
Pride occupies a
prominent place among the seven deadly sins or vices. It seduces people believe
that we are self-sufficient and we do not need others and God. We are our own
god. The Bible says that the angel of light has fallen from heaven [see Isa
14:12], and according to the Latin tradition, his name is Lucifer, the
brightest angel in heaven. He and some other angels revolted against God since
they were too proud to serve God that would become man. If lust aligns us with
animals, pride makes us coequal with the fallen angels.
To remedy this
terrible pride, humility is then chiefly necessary. But, it is simply difficult
to become one since it leads us to acknowledge our true nature that we own
nothing and everything we have is a gift. Humility is derived from Latin word humus which means soil. Humility brings
back us to the ground after the air
of pride lifts us our nose up.
Humility is also
primarily important since it enables us to listen and through listening we are
able to be obedient (Latin word ob-audire
means to listen attentively). With pride just around the corner, it is
difficult to listen since we start believing that we are the center of the
universe and everything else revolves around us. Simon Tugwell, OP writes that
humble prayer is just to take a break from our tyrannical and dictatorial self
that occupies the center of our life and let God be God. In the same line of
thought, Henry Nouwen writes that a sincere prayer is just like opening our
tightly closed fist.
St. Augustine
believes that humility is one of the most fundamental virtues especially in our
relationship with God. He says, “Are you thinking of raising the great fabric
of spirituality? Attend first of all to the foundation of humility.” It is
because humility is the virtue that facilitates us in listening to God’s words
and in following them. In humility, we participate in Mary’s words, “I am the
servant of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word.” And not, “I am
the boss here. Be it done to me and to you according to my word.” In humility,
we pray in Jesus’ prayer, “Your will be done.” And not, “Your will be changed”.
Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, O.P