Humility and Generosity

08-21-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

Thomas Edison, the famous inventor of the early 20th century, is truly a humble man at heart. This inventor of the phonograph and incandescent lamp once said to his assistant: People call me a great inventor. I’m no inventor worth talking about When I think that I can’t even build the simplest being that could think and speak or at least do something on his own, I know that there is only one true inventor. At that, he pointed his finger heavenward.

Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles will be exalted. While dining with some Pharisees, Jesus uses the opportunity to teach everyone the importance of humility in discipleship. He did not hide His displeasure seeing how guests were all making for the first place. He uses this incident as teaching concerning the Kingdom of God. The importance of humility, the feeling of unworthiness in the sight of God’s graciousness. All who received the grace of faith are invited to the wedding feast, not by right, worthiness, or one’s merits. Faith is God’s gift; we accept it in humility and joy.

God dislikes the proud but lifts the lowly. Jesus is the perfect example of a humble disposition, always submissive to the will of the heavenly Father; and meek and gentle of heart to those He served. Remember, it was the humble tax collector in the temple and not the proud Pharisee who gained pardon for his sins by humbly acknowledging that he is a sinner. (Lk. 18:14) In like manner, in the Magnificat, the heart and soul of the Blessed Mother proclaims the greatness of the Lord: My spirit rejoices in God my savior. For He has looked upon the lowliness of His handmaid. And God will accord the same favor to those who have lowly hearts.

In the Gospel, Jesus teaches His disciples humility and generosity. When we do not take the choice seats; but the lowest place, we learn to be humble. When we give even the little that we have to those in need; and give freely without expecting anything in return, we learn to be truly generous and giving.

Many problems and troubles we can avoid if we learn to be humble. Sin is disobedience to the will of God. Pride is believing that we can do without God and cut our dependence on and need for Him. The road back to the heart of God is humility, the way that leads to true peace.

Many problems and troubles we can heal through humility. When we accept our failures in humility, reach out to God and others in humility, forgive others in humility and forgive even ourselves in humility, we heal and are free. As someone put it beautifully, the best calming tea is humility.

Lord, teach us true humility and genuine generosity.

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