Mahilig tayo sa mga buffet at handaan. And for the Jews and Pinoys, laging may “VIP table.” But in Jesus’ time, there were no ushers to tell where you were to sit. You had to enter the room, converse with people, and figure out your place at the table. Guests had to rank themselves, based on how important they thought they were.
Here’s where Jesus steps in. He says: “When you are invited, go and take the lowest place.” In other words, don’t assume you deserve the best spot. Let the host raise you up.
At first glance, parang simple “etiquette” lang. But Jesus is pointing to something much deeper. Humility.
Humility does not mean pretending to be worthless. It is not insecurity. Humility is recognizing ourselves, in relation to others, most especially in relation to God.
The word humility (pagpapakumbaba) comes from humus, which means “earth.” Therefore, in relation to God, we are dust, and to dust we shall return. But we are “beloved dust,” because despite our smallness, we are given so much talent, intelligence, power, relationships, and so much more! So what is there left to do? Be grateful (nagpapasalamat).
This is TRUE HUMILITY: Knowing that we are NOTHING, but God has provided for EVERYTHING. Therefore, a truly humble person is a grateful person.
The problem comes when we twist this into FALSE HUMILITY.
Bilang mga Pinoy, makakarelate tayo dito. We act humble, but secretly, we are waiting for a reward. Look at these “kunwari-humble” statements, paired with their underlying personal “rewards”:
• “Dito lang ako uupo sa likod… para madaling makatakas.”
• “Kayo na mauna sa pagkain… para yung matitira, sa akin.”
• “Magbibigay ako sayo ngayon … pero pag ako naman ang nangangailangan, dapat tulungan mo rin ako.”
• “Hindi nalang ako magsasalita para walang away… kasi sa totoo lang, wala naman akong pakialam.”
Do you see the difference? That’s not humility. That’s calculation. You lower yourself, not to lift others, but to set yourself up for gain. It’s like saying, “I will pretend to be small, so that later, people will make me big.”
False humility is dangerous because it keeps us focused on ourselves. We are still caught in the trap of pride, only in disguise. True humility, on the other hand, shifts our focus away from ourselves and back to God. It allows us to see the gifts of others without jealousy, to recognize our limits without bitterness, and to walk with gratitude because we know everything we have is grace.
Let’s pray for the grace of true humility: the kind that comes not from calculation, but from gratitude. When we live this way, we no longer need to chase seats at the banquet. Because in God’s Kingdom, the place prepared for us will always be more than enough.
Amen.
God bless you,
Fr. Migs
Homily for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary time
August 31, 2025
Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29 | Heb 12:18-19, 22-24a |
Lk 14:1, 7-14.
When you act humble, are you doing it because you are truly grateful, or are you secretly waiting to be lifted up?
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