WHO IS THE MOST HUMBLE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

"On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.

"He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.

“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,

"‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.

"Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say,

"‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”  (Luke 14: 1, 7 - 11).

Saturday 29th October 2022 of the 30th Week of Ordinary Time.

In our Gospel of today, Jesus is in a dinner party and the principal guests recognized Him and were observing Him to see what He would do or say. Jesus was observing their manners too.

The crowd justled to get prominent places in order to show who is who? Jesus did not pass the opportunity to teach about social manners and humility. He teaches here that humility is a prudent virtue that will serve us well even in social life.

Humility is a key spiritual virtue to possess. St Augustine says that while you can enter the Kingdom of God without some other virtues, you can never enter Heaven without humility.

Here is my definition of humility by example: Who do you consider the most humble person in Heaven? Here are my top five:

+ Jesus Christ.
+ The Blessed Virgin Mary.
+ St Martin de Poress.
+ St Brother Andre.
+ St Mother Teresa of Kolkata.

The saints model for us the best practice of the Gospel. If you imitate the saints, you will not be wrong.

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

"You, My priest adorer, will live in silence and humility, attentive to the sound of My voice and obedient to whatsoever I will say to you. Submit to the discernment of those whom I have set over you, and in all things prefer the mind and sentiments of the Church to your own thoughts and attractions." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, August 7, 2008).

10. 29  "The Rosary will preserve you in purity, in humility, and in all the virtues pleasing to My Mother’s Immaculate Heart and My own Heart." (IN SINU JESU).

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"As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live." (St John Paul II).

"And he told them this parable:

“There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’

"He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13: 1... 9).

Saturday 22nd October 2022 of 29th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of Pope St John Paul II. (1920 - 2005). Polish. First non-Italian Pope in 455 years.  Beatified May 1, 2011 and canonized April 27, 2014. All by Pope Francis.  John Paul was an accomplished writer. He traveled all over the world to promote understanding between nations and between different cultures and religions.  He and President Ronald Regan contributed to the peaceful dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

John Paul II wrote many important encyclicals. His enduring legacy is the Catechism of the Catholic Church which he promulgated in 1992.

Our key Scripture is the Parable of the barren Fig Tree. This is an allegory for the People of Israel. God wants a good return on His investment in Israel, the Church and in you and me.

How do we bear much fruit? Remain in Jesus.  What is the principle of productivity?  Abide in Christ.  How do we abide in Christ?

We live in Christ through the Sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. The Eucharist is a holy exchange of gift. Through it, Jesus shares with us His divine life. Another word for God's divine life in us is sanctifying grace.

Our fruitfulness depends therefore on this dynamic relationship with Christ living in us.
"Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord; whoever remains in me will bear much fruit."  (John 15: 14, 15).

Fruitfulness is not addiction to activity.  It is believing God. It is knowing the will of God for you and doing it. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. He will accomplish the work.

"I am the source of all fruitfulness in the vineyard that is My Church. Apart from Me, you can do nothing. Come to Me, then. Remain with Me. Act for Me, guided by My Holy Spirit, and return to Me with thanksgiving. This is the secret of a priestly life that will be pleasing to Me, will build up My Church, and will glorify My Father." (IN SINU JESU page 103).

10. 22  “To pray the Rosary is to hand over our burdens to the merciful hearts of Christ and His mother.” (St John Paul II).

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