Rev.
Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia
SAY NO
TO PRIDE, LEARN TO BE HUMBLE
One of
the virtues that is lacking in our world today is humility, this virtue is
really lacking in our society today because pride has become a way of life
which most people wish to embrace. Hence we often hear people saying in a very
proud way, do you know who I am? By the time I finish with you then you will
fear me. We hear people taking all sorts of honorific titles whether merited or
not, they want to be addressed and recognized so gloriously at every public event.
This
should not be our attitudes or disposition toward Jesus in our Gospel passage
today while addressing the Pharisees told a parable about humility saying: When
someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of
honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the
person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man.”
And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest
place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit
there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher.”
In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone
who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be
exalted.’
Here,
we see the importance of humility, we see how humility can help elevate someone
from nothingness to something great. While pride can bring down the might into
nothingness. The truth is that humility is not a way of glory, but a road of
surrender that leads to the passion and death of one’s self. It is a way of
sacrifice, a service to others at the price of self-sacrifice. That is why many
people do not want to be humble. Little wonder St. Paul in our first reading
put this question before us: have the Jews fallen forever, or have they just
stumbled? Obviously, they have not fallen forever: their fall, though, has
saved the pagans in a way the Jews may now well emulate. Think of the extent to
which the world, the pagan world, has benefited from their fall and defection –
then think how much more it will benefit from the conversion of them all. There
is a hidden reason for all these actions.
Dear
friends, we must learn to say no to prideful actions in order to embrace humility.
Though it may seem so difficult to embrace the virtue of humility, especially
in our society today, this virtue has a lot to offer us both as individuals and
as a group. In fact, our world needs humble men and women, because a good
society is built on all kinds of commendable virtues such as humility. This is what
we see in the life of Charles Borromeo whose memorial we celebrate today, for
though he came from a wealthy family of Medici, he never let himself be
distracted by the things of this passing world. Rather, in humility he
dedicated himself entirely to serving God in his people in a very sacrificial
way.
Therefore,
it is time for us to put off our old self which is led by pride the first
capital sin, to put on a new person born of humility, love, compassion,
contentment, purity, forgiveness etc. So let us work hard to add more virtues
in our activities and behaviour for blessed are those who are virtuous for they
easily solve their problems. Thus, why not try humility in solving those challenging
moments in your life? Just try to be humble because it works like a miracle.
LET US
PRAY: Heavenly Father, we have often failed to follow the example of Christ’s
humility which he has taught us. As we are reminded once again of the need to
be humble, grant us through the intercession of St. Charles Borromeo the grace
to truly be humble at any level we find ourselves, we ask this through Christ
our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed and peaceful weekend.
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