DAILY- HOMILY

September 2, 2007
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - C

SIRACH 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved
more than a giver of gifts. Humble yourself the more, the greater you
are, and you will find favor with God. What is too sublime for you,
seek not, into things beyond your strength search not. The mind of a
sage appreciates proverbs, and an attentive ear is the joy of the
wise. Water quenches a flaming fire, and alms atone for sins.

HEBREWS 12:18-19, 22-24A
Brothers and sisters: You have not approached that which could be
touched and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness and storm and a trumpet
blast and a voice speaking words such that those who heard begged that
no message be further addressed to them. No, you have approached Mount
Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and
countless angels in festal gathering, and the assembly of the
firstborn enrolled in heaven, and God the judge of all, and the
spirits of the just made perfect, and Jesus, the mediator of a new
covenant, and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than
that of Abel.

LUKE 14:1, 7-14
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading
Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. He told
a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were
choosing the places of honor at the table. "When you are invited by
someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of
honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by
him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,
'Give your place to this man,' and then you would proceed with
embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited,
go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may
say, 'My friend, move up to a higher position.' Then you will enjoy
the esteem of your companions at the table. For every one who exalts
himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be
exalted." Then he said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a
lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your
relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back
and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the
poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be
because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the
resurrection of the righteous."

REFLECTION
We say to ourselves: "Why be honest when others cheat? Why be truthful
when others lie? Why be generous when others are selfish? Why be
disciplined when others do as they like?" Every adult gets temptations
like these. And many adults give in to the temptations.

This brings us to an important question: What is one virtue that we
should never throw away? What is the one virtue that we should keep,
even if we throw away all the others?

One elderly woman gave this answer to that question: "The one virtue
you should never throw away is the virtue of humility."

When asked why is that so? Why is it so important? She responded,
"It's the one virtue that Jesus used to describe himself. He said,
'Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.'" (Matt. 11: 29)

That story fits in beautifully with today's readings. For the first
reading and the Gospel reading both speak about the importance of
humility.

What is humility? What does it mean to be humble? Does it mean to put
ourselves down? Does it mean to think little of ourselves? Does it
mean to deny our true worth?

Not at all! Humility is something more profound than that. Humility is
not thinking little of ourselves. Humility is not thinking of
ourselves at all. In its most profound sense, humility means to be
like Jesus, who said, "Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of
heart." Humility means to be like Jesus, who said, "The Son of Man did
not come to be served but to serve." (Matt. 20: 24-28) Humility means
to live as Jesus lived - not for ourselves but for others. It means to
use our talents and gifts as Jesus used his - not for ourselves and
our own glory, but for others and their needs.

There's a story about three people who were discussing about recent
translations of the Bible. The first person said, "I like the New
American translation that we read at Mass. It has modernized the
language without sacrificing reverence for God's word."

The second person said, "I like the Jerusalem Bible that we use in our
Bible study group. It has poeticized the language without sacrificing
the meaning of God's word."

The third person said, "I like my mother's translation of the Bible.
She has translated the Bible into life and made it alive by her
example. Her translation is the best translation of all."

That story sums up the challenge that Jesus sets before us in today's
Gospel. Jesus challenges us to translate God's word into everyday
life. He challenges us to use our talents and gifts, not for ourselves
and our own glory, but for others and their needs.

This is the challenge that Jesus sets before us in today's readings.
This is the challenge that he holds out to us today's liturgy.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray ...
... for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
... for the strength, healing and speedy recovery of:
- Julie Manzon, Delly David, Charlie Castro
- Enrique De Leon Navarro, Eufrocina Mendoza Navarro, Mary
Michelline Pintado
... for the personal intentions of:
- Nor and Malou
- Marasigan and Gonzales family
- Ming Co
- Glenn & Julie Manzon, Jerico Ureta, Mary Ann Castro, Ma Fe
Castro, Churchill Barayoga, Buddy and Estillita Escamilla, Glenda,
Joel Bisco & family, Pat and Linda Manzon.
- Matet Rey
... In Thanksgiving:
- Manzon family, Barayoga family, Ureta family
- Gascon family
... Safe travel: Jennette
... for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Ramona Hollmann
- Domingo Barayoga Sr, Lourdes Barayoga, Allan Escamilla, Janet
Figurosa
- Remberto, Estrella, Danilo and Florence
- Edgardo Diama
Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them.
May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
... for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Rev. Fr. James D' Souza
- In Memoriam (+): Benson Dy Chua (Dec 15,1945-Sep 1,2000)
- In Memoriam (+): Ellen Young Dy (Aug 19, 1928 - Sep 1, 1998)
- In Memoriam (+): Marie Louise Cheng Fainsan
- In Memoriam (+): Tan Ching Pay
... for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our
prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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