While Jesus was “dining at the home of one of the leading Pharisees” he told them a parable about humility, “When you are invited (to a banquet) go and take the lowest place.” “When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.” “Be humble.” Humble means of the earth. To … Continue reading “Needing Everything, Needing Nothing”
Tag: humility
The Capacity for God
“An attentive ear is the joy of the wise,” so writes Sirach. Wisely listening to the wisdom of another requires we “conduct our affairs with humility.” Jesus wisely gives an attentive ear to others and therefore conducts his affairs with humility. In the Gospel, “Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the … Continue reading “The Capacity for God”
Infectious Diseases
Leprosy is an infectious disease. It physically disfigures and disables a person. In biblical times lepers were ordered by priests to be cast out of society. In today’s Gospel a leper violates that priestly order by approaching Jesus. Jesus violates it too by caring for the man; he touches him and heals him. When Jesus … Continue reading “Infectious Diseases”
Humility
Jesus is encouraging humility in this Sunday’s Gospel. The word humility is derived from humus, meaning of the earth. It describes our way of being grounded, of being in touch with reality. Humility means we know who we are as children of one human family. We know this same truth of others. Humility, therefore, describes … Continue reading “Humility”