I just read today's Gospel and was especially struck at the context Jesus chose for recommending humility: "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet . . . 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."
I have spent the past two weeks (and plan on spending the next two) gearing up to give a morning of talks (Nov.12), a "guided tour" if you will, of the Book of Revelation. And our arrival at a wedding banquet is the goal of Revelation! We already participate in the banquet at Mass, "This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to His supper" (Rev.19:9). Jesus' words in the Gospel address how we should relate to one another within the Church! It is not a venue for trying to win esteem or propping up our egos; woe be to us, if we ever catch ourselves feeling superior to someone in the congregation. Each of us is loved by our Father, each of us living temples of the Holy Spirit - what higher "status" is possible? So however many hours we pray, studies on Revelation we lead, or Sunday morning donut socials we organize; we are all infinitely loved children with nothing to prove to one another, save our ability to look past our needy selves and appreciate the beautiful people who surround us.
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