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 everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
REFLECTION
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Many great people have lived during my lifetime. Their stories have inspired me, and their exemplary lives have helped me see the Gospel come alive. Among them, St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) stands out as a beautiful example of someone who was truly great, yet profoundly humble.
Mother Teresa was known throughout the world, admired by millions, and honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
Yet, despite her fame, she chose to live a life of simplicity, wearing her modest sari and worn, ill-fitting sandals while serving the poorest of the poor.
Rather than keeping the $192,000 Nobel Peace Prize award, she devoted the money to her religious community, the Missionaries of Charity, to care for the poor, the sick, the abandoned, and the dying.
She even declined the traditional Nobel banquet, asking that the money ordinarily spent on the celebration be used instead to feed the hungry.
What a beautiful example of humility!
Her life invites me to examine my own heart. How often do I seek appreciation or recognition for the good I do, even when I claim to be doing it for God? Pride can quietly enter our hearts without our even realizing it.
Sometimes we see generous donations accompanied by the names of the donors. While generosity is certainly a blessing, I wonder: Can I give without being recognized? Can I serve without expecting gratitude?
Despite her worldwide fame, Mother Teresa never placed herself above the suffering people she served. She saw Jesus in the hungry, the sick, the lonely, the abandoned, and the dying. She did not simply speak about the Gospel; she lived it.
Her life was remarkably simple, yet the fruits of her love were extraordinary. She understood that true greatness is not measured by the honors we receive, but by the love we give.
And so I ask myself: When God blesses me with success, recognition, talents, or opportunities, do I use these gifts to elevate myself, or do I humbly bend down to lift someone else up?
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