Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading — Conduct your affairs with humility and God will favor you (Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29).
Psalm — God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor (Psalm 68).
Second Reading — You have approached Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant (Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a).
Gospel — When invited to dine, take the lowest place. Those who humble themselves will be exalted
(Luke 14:1, 7-14).

HUMILITY
Today’s readings praise the virtue of humility and offer concrete ways for us to become more humble. The Book of Sirach suggests a practical reason for acting with humility: humble people are more likeable than the arrogant. Even God “finds favor” with those who humble themselves. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus provides real-world suggestions for growing in humility and teaches us never to assume we are better than others. His words change our outward behavior and expand our hearts and minds to care about people we might have dismissed before. This practical, almost “folksy” wisdom about humility helps us behave better in daily life and makes our lofty goal of eternal life more accessible. Our reading from Hebrews affirms that heaven is indeed approachable. The personal love and sacrifice of Jesus have opened “the city of the living God” to us. Humility prepares us for paradise.
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