Everyone Who Exalts Himself Will Be Humbled, and the one Who Humbles Himself Will Be Exalted: A Reflection on Luke

Luke Saturday October 29, 2005 Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary # 484

FOCUS Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

In the first reading, we hear four very important words: rejection, covenant, call and gift. These words are directly related, intimately connected, to our lives as Christians. We can see from the story of our ancestors, the Jews, that God’s love is everlasting; it comes with no strings attached. Because of God’s covenant, because of His call, we are never rejected. Though we may wander far from God’s teachings, though we may stray from His plan, He always loves us, invites us back, welcomes us home.

In the Gospel, we see a continuation of the theme. Jesus’ very words to us were, “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted”. We hear that in our lowliness, it is God who will lift us up, who will exalt us. Even when we take it upon ourselves to seek honors and accolades, God forgives us and welcomes us back.

It is Jesus who says to us, “My friend, come up higher.” In following His path, the path of true humility, we will find ourselves exalted when it counts.