Homily: Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29 | Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a | Luke 14:1, 7-14
31 August 2025
Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA
One of the hardest lessons in life is to admit weakness and vulnerability. Many of our lolos (grandfathers) and lolas (grandmothers) know this very well. All their lives they worked hard, provided for their families, and achieved much through their sacrifices. However, when old age comes — when the body grows weak or sickness comes — it is not easy to subject themselves to the care of others, even if they are close family members. For someone who is always strong and independent, this can be very humbling.
However, it is not only the elderly who has trouble with humility. When the younger ones among us… and maybe most of us who have been through tough times discover that life has limits, we would come to realise that not every problem can be solved alone or solely by ourselves in isolation. Yes, by ourselves, we can barely carry our burdens. Yet, we do not wish to ask help, thinking it is shameful to dump this load on others. It is when we finally admit, “I need help! I am not equipped to deal with this problem! I cannot do this by myself!”, that God’s grace manifests most powerfully.
The Book of Sirach tells us today: “My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than the giver of gifts. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favour with God” (Sirach 3:17-18). In other words, the closer we come to God, the more we must learn humility — not pride, not self-reliance, but a heart open to receive. Sirach also uses the example of a sage — a very wise person, that still appreciates proverbs or advice. They may already be knowledgeable, but they do not close themselves to learning and being corrected. He also says that “an attentive ear is the joy of the wise” (Sirach 3:29), meaning there is wisdom in being a humble person who listens, receives, and depends on God’s mercy.
This same lesson is carried into the Gospel. Jesus makes an example of the dinner guests scrambling to choose places of honour at the table. He reminds us not to think too highly of ourselves because there are always others who will exceed us in status, wealth, and achievement. He cautions us against the embarassment should the host relieve us of the honour we claimed for ourselves. It is better to conduct ourselves with humility before the Lord. It is up to Him to elevate us to a place of honour saying, “Friend, move up higher.” (Luke 14:10) In the same way, that we recently spoke of heaven as not something to earn, neither is it a reward we achieve by our own effort; it has and always will be a gift given by God to those who walk in humility and trust.
The Letter to the Hebrews is a reassurance that the God we bow before is no longer the vengeful and fearsome God of the Old Testament whom the Israelites approached with trembling and fear. We now come to know the God of the New Testament symbolised by Mount Zion — the spiritual and eternal City of God where He welcomes and gathers all to Himself. Despite our unworthiness, we can approach God, with a sense of belonging and in a spirit of grace and peace, because of Jesus. The sprinkling of blood that “speaks better than Abel’s” (Hebrews 12:24) is a reference to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, whereas Abel’s blood cries out for vengeance and justice, Christ’s blood merits for us cleansing, forgiveness, and reconciliation with the Father.
Thus, brothers and sisters, let us walk each day with humble trust, mindful that despite all our strength, power and possessions, we are eternally dependent on the Lord. As a reminder especially to those already serving in the Church: no matter how much of ourselves we offer for Christ’s Church, let us strive to remain humble. We serve with hearts full of hope, awaiting the day when the Lord Himself will look upon us and say: ‘My friend, come higher. Come, and take your place at the banquet of everlasting life.’
Sunday Gospel Reflections 