Homily Notes 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 2019
22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time/ “Humble is as Humble Does”
Today we have a favorite meal when we have a large gathering. We call the pizza parlor. We order food which is delivered to our door in cardboard boxes. We tear off the top of the boxes. We line up the pizza. We grab a paper plate. We might utter a quick prayer. We then dig in. We might let children go first perhaps, but for everyone else if first come first serve.
With our dining habits it is hard for us to appreciate what we hear Jesus commenting about in the gospel. In the time of Jesus, banquets were the major social event. Perhaps they were the only social event in a small village.
If someone could afford to throw a banquet, it was a sign that they were prosperous. A large dinner was also a civic event. Homes were small. A sizable meal had to be eaten at another venue. No social halls were for available. Usually, the meal had to be outside. If a family did have a large home, they might have a courtyard where the meal was served.
Many times, the meal took place in the public square. Such dinners were a way to curry favor. If a family wanted to be treated well in the community, they would invite leading political figures. Important family members were also there. The “notable people” were given places at dinner where everyone could see them. The expectation was that payback would come the next time a meal was hosted by prominent guests. It was a tit for tat situation. Yes, sharing food was more than just lining up to eat. Banquets were all about determining the social status of those who lived in town.
Into the midst of this situation steps Jesus of Nazareth. He had been a part of this social scene his whole life. He challenges the status quo just before the parable he told. The Scribes and Pharisees had tried to embarrass him. A man with dropsy was at the banquet described. Dropsy is a swelling of the legs caused by heart failure. The religious leaders ask Jesus whether the man could be healed on the Sabbath. Jesus does heal the man. So, Jesus was already irritated with the Pharisees when he saw them scrambling for the highest places at the banquet he is attending. To him the man who is sick was the important guest, but everyone failed to notice the man.
Jesus then tells his parable regarding humility. For him the humble person seeks the lowest place. As Christian people we are to note humility when we see it. Most of time, though, humble gestures are not even noted. Maybe that is a sign that humble act is really a humble ace
A hundred years ago, in October of 1919, probably the most significate event to ever take place at Sacred Heart parish occurred. Cardinal Joseph Merceir came to Moline. Cardinal Merceir was world famous. He was a hero of Belgium resistance in WWI. He took his life in his hand when he challenged the German occupation of his country. He spoke out when others were afraid. For that reason, he became world famous. And when his former seminary student, John Baptist Culemans invited him to lay the cornerstone for the new Sacred Heart Church while he was traveling in the U.S. the Cardenal graciously accepted.
Last Wednesday the committee that is planning our cornerstone celebration this October broke open the copper box that has rested at the corner of our church for 100 years. As we went through the contents there were pictures of Bishops, priests, prominent civic leaders. In all there were probably a couple dozen pictures. But there was one picture missing. Father Culemans picture was not in the box. In fact, in all the pictures of that day he is not seen. The man who orchestrated the celebration which brought thousands of people to the corner of 17th avenue and 13th street stayed in the background. Dignitaries jockeyed to be seen with the Cardinal, but not Fr. Culemans. Why?
Many would say he was just an odd man. But others would say that he was a humble man. Throughout his life he refused ecclesial honors of every type. He worked diligently serving his parish. He was respected in the community. He helped start the airport. He helped found the first public hospital. He had many accomplishments. His main achievement though was his humility.
It is ironic that humble people are the most self-assured. Humble people do not try to gain notoriety by stepping on others. Modest people are respected because of their unassuming competence.
Jesus the savior who washed the feet of the world was the model for Fr. Culemans. John Baptist Culemans was a faithful disciple of Jesus because he was an unassuming disciple of the Lord. Do we recognize such people when we see them in our life? If we do, then we have a sense of what true holiness is. We also have a spiritual goal to strive for.