Daily Refection – 11/3/2023
Sacred Scripture
On a Sabbath he went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath or not?” But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. Then he said to them, “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” But they were unable to answer his question. (Luke 14: 1-6)
Reflection
The dinner guests were watching Jesus intently – hoping they could pounce on something he said and entrap him. As he always did, he sought to teach a lesson.
The Pharisees and scholars of the law were rigid in their faith and expected a response that would substantiate their belief that Jesus was preaching and acting beyond the law.
The contrast between Jesus and the pharisees could not be more vivid. Jesus brings hope and healing while his detractors bring rules and regulations to those who are seeking the presence of God in their lives. He focuses on the radical disconnect between the desires of God and the practice of their religion.
In truth it is a practice that we often follow. It’s easier to cite the law and expect it to be followed literally. Too often, we don’t stop and consider the dynamic which is at play. That does not mean that we overlook the law but rather that we need to think about how Christ would apply the law in a specific situation.
In the example at hand, the law said the Sabbath was sacred and even curing a person on the Sabbath was outside the law. Jesus asked a question that they dare not answer. In truth, each of them would seek to save their son (or ox) even on the Sabbath. But how could they admit that?
Our faith has a basic tenant and it’s one we all know well. We are asked to be imitators of Christ. We are asked to live a live that leads others to Christ.
He lived a life that was marked by healing, humility, and hospitality. In each case, he sought out the good in each person right up to his death on the cross, he forgave and loved.
Our human nature is marred when we seek to place ourselves above another. Or conspire to be first. Or interpret a law blindly. Or refuse to learn or dialogue. Or overlook the implications of our actions because somehow, we think we are in a privileged position.
And that’s why the virtue of humility is so important.
Humility is not a medal we wear on a jacket. The only way to reveal your humility is if you treat others more highly than yourself. This concept is totally opposite of the way the world thinks. The world says if you want to be successful and be somebody you’ve got to push, fight and work your way to the top. But Jesus says just the opposite. He says if you try to promote yourself, you’ll end up humbled. James 4:10 says “Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up.”
Jesus humbled Himself to step down from the throne of heaven to become one of us–a human being. Yet, the night before Jesus was crucified, all of the disciples were too full of pride to perform the slave’s job of washing feet. Jesus humbled Himself and went to the disciples and washed their feet. He humbled Himself again and became obedient unto death–He died the death of a common criminal. What did God the Father do? Scripture says, “God highly exalted Him and gave Him a name that is above every name.” That’s still the way it works. The way down is up and the way up is down. That’s true for each of us. Without Jesus we are nothing, but in Christ, we can do all things. That’s humility.
That is why authentic Christians are sometimes viewed as outliers. Because our code and the expression of our faith is often contra to the world. But we continue to follow Christ’s path because his way leads us home.
When we live our faith, our hearts and minds change. We recognize that every gift and every invitation to receive is an opportunity to give: to be as loving to our neighbor and to love God in His Providential Will as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are fully loving in their communion of divine love in the Godhead.
Prayer of The Day
“Lord Jesus, may I always honor you, both in my work and in my rest, and in the way I treat my neighbor. Fill me with your love and keep me free from a critical and intolerant spirit that I may always seek to please you and to bring good to my neighbor as well.”
Daily Note
Humility means far more than just welcoming others appropriately as good manners. It is to remind us that God has given us all good things for no good reason. It is to remind us that God invites us to do the same for others. It is an invitation to take our faith seriously enough to live and act differently. Because our faith is important only to the degree that it helps us navigate the daily decisions and situations that attend our lives.
