Humility

On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had dropsy. And Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, ‘Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not?’ But they were silent. So Jesus took him and healed him and sent him away. Then he said to them, ‘If one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a sabbath day?’ And they could not reply to this. When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. ‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, “Give this person your place”, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher”; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ Luke 14:1-11

We humans are often worried about getting the best seat in the house, being first in line, and being respected and honored at all times. We worry about how many likes we get and how many followers we might have. None of us has been able to heal the man with dropsy as Jesus did. Yet, in their arrogance and pious attitudes, they grilled him and questioned him, trying to catch him up. Jesus then taught them how to live faithfully - by simply being humble at all times.

Loving Creator, you gave us choices

and often we choose to go first

to fight for the best position out front

when you call us to simply follow you.

We want the limelight and attention

yet love is not revealed in those things

your love is found in the small places

among the least and in the very last place.

Help us to follow you and live humbly

seeking you in the places of shame

in the hidden alleys that other fear

for you promise to go before us always. Amen.