Both the first reading (Sirach 3:1–18, 20, 28–29) and the Gospel (Luke (14:1, 7–14) today speak about humility! Humility is a word that is often misunderstood. For many, it conjures up images of weakness, of being timid or lacking in confidence. Others equate humility with a kind of false modesty – pretending not to see one’s gifts or talents. Yet none of these quite capture what the Scriptures mean when they call us to be humble.
True humility is not about weakness – it is about being grounded. The very word itself comes from the Latin humus, which means “soil” or “earth.” Humility reminds us that we are formed from the earth and that we share a common origin with every other human being. In a sense, metaphorically speaking, humility is the umbilical cord that links us to our origins and to one another.
Seen in this light, humility is not about denying our worth, but about acknowledging that we are not self-made; we come from something, someone greater – God. It is the recognition that our worth is not measured by achievements, possessions, or status, but by the simple and profound truth that we are loved by God who called each of us into life.
To live humbly, then, is to stand in that love with gratitude, to see ourselves as part of God’s creation, and to treat others with the same reverence and dignity that flows from knowing we all share that divine gift of origin. In this sense, humility is quite counter cultural and is echoed in CS Lewis’ insight that “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”
In this simple phrase lies perhaps the deepest truth about humility – that it shifts our focus outward, toward God and neighbour, rather than inward toward our own image and reputation. True humility allows us to live with open hands and an open heart, secure in who we are and therefore free to love and serve without reservation.
That insight beautifully captures the spirit of today’s readings. Both the book of Sirach and the Gospel of Luke invite us to embrace humility not as a burden, but as a pathway to freedom and joy.
Sirach tells us plainly: “The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself.” In other words, honour and wisdom are not found in exalting ourselves, but in recognising that we are small before the greatness of God. Only the humble, says Sirach, will find favour with the Lord.
Jesus takes this teaching further in the Gospel. He notices how guests at a banquet are jostling for the best seats – the places of honour – and he offers a parable that cuts to the heart of human ambition. “When you are invited,” he says, “go and sit in the lowest place.”
The kingdom of God is not about climbing ladders of success, but about stepping down so that others can be lifted up. God’s way is not self-promotion but self-offering. We see that in the life of Jesus, who offered his life for us.
What Jesus is teaching here is not a clever strategy for winning respect, but a whole new way of being. He is showing us that status, recognition, and privilege are not the measure of who we are. What matters in God’s eyes is our willingness to make space for others, especially those who are less fortunate than ourselves: Jesus urges us: “When you give a banquet invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.” These are the ones so often left out, overlooked, and forgotten. Humility opens our eyes to see them not as a burden but as brothers and sisters.
This is deeply challenging. Our world encourages competition, comparison, and self-assertion. We are taught from a young age to push forward, to claim what is ours, to protect our image. Yet Jesus calls us to something radically different. He calls us to trust that in God’s kingdom there is no need to scramble for recognition, because we are already known, loved, and valued by the One who made us.
That is the freedom humility brings – freedom from the restless need to prove ourselves, and freedom to be the person God created us to be.
Think of the people in your own life who radiate humility. They are rarely the loudest in the room or the ones demanding recognition. Instead, they are the ones who listen, who make space for others, who quietly lift burdens and extend kindness. Humility, lived in this way, becomes contagious. It builds communities where no one is excluded and where everyone has a place at the table.
At its heart, humility is about relationship – with God, with others, and with ourselves. It reminds us that all is gift. The talents we have, the opportunities before us, even the breath in our lungs – all are given. When we know this, gratitude naturally flows, and gratitude leads us outward in mission. For the humble person does not say, “What can I gain?” but rather, “How can I serve? How can I reflect God’s love today?”
Today’s scriptures are not easy to live, they do call us to another way of life, that reflects more fully the way of Christ. It is the way of freedom, joy, and life in abundance.
“So what might the Scriptures be asking of us today? Maybe it is an invitation to slow down, to take off our shoes, to walk along the beach or in the garden and let ourselves be grounded again.
Humility reconnects us to creation, to one another, and to God. It teaches us that we don’t have to strive for greatness; we only need to walk gently on the earth, gratefully receiving life as a gift and sharing it with others. That is the way of Christ – simple, joyful, and deeply human.”