Let us embark on a journey through the words of St. Luke 9:44-50, where Jesus presents a very radical concept – the embrace of humility in a world that often champions and promotes the opposite. To frame our understanding, let’s turn to a story from the world of music. In 1967, The Beatles released “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, an album revolutionary and relevant to our reflection today not just for its music but for its iconic cover art. This artwork featured the band surrounded by life-sized cardboard cut-outs of famous personalities, creating an assembly of ‘greatness’. And among these figures stood a small, almost unnoticed photo of the band themselves in their early, humble days. This contrast speaks volumes – on a background of a sea of fame and success, a reminder of humble beginnings remained, echoing today’s sermon theme: the power and necessity of humility.
In Luke 9:48, Jesus declares, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is great.” Here, we witness a profound inversion of societal values. In a world where self-promotion and personal branding are the norms, where social media often becomes a highlight reel of achievements and successes, Jesus calls us to a different path – a path of humility and service.
In our contemporary struggle, we often find ourselves caught in the relentless pursuit of recognition and status. Psychologist Carl Jung once said, “The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely.” In a culture that constantly urges us to be more, do more, and own more, the idea of embracing our own ‘smallness’, our own vulnerability, can indeed be terrifying. Yet, it is in this very vulnerability that we find true strength.
Humility, as Jesus teaches us, is not about self-deprecation or weakness; it’s about recognizing our rightful place in the grand stage of life. It’s about understanding that every individual, no matter how seemingly insignificant, has intrinsic value and worth. This perspective shifts our focus from a relentless drive for personal glory to a more fulfilling pursuit of collective well-being.
In the words of St. Augustine, “Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.” The beauty of Jesus’ teaching lies in its paradoxical nature – to be great, one must be willing to be the least. In a society obsessed with climbing ladders of success, Jesus invites us to find greatness in descending the ladder, in serving and valuing others, especially those who are often overlooked.
Let us then, in our daily lives, challenge the narrative of self-promotion. Let us find courage to celebrate not just our strengths, but also our imperfections and our ordinary moments. In doing so, we open our hearts to genuine connections, to a deeper understanding of ourselves and others, and to a life that mirrors the humility of Christ. For in this humility, we do not diminish ourselves; rather, we elevate the very essence of what it means to be human.
