Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop
How embarrassing for that person who was asked to move to a lower place in Jesus’ parable in today’s Gospel. The society that Jesus lived in was hierarchical with some social classes higher than others. This social hierarchy was even reflected in celebrations where people of higher social standing sat in certain spots or “places of honor” while others of lower status were not able to be in those seats. St. Paul addressed this issue with the early Christian community, Luke’s intended audience, in which during the Sunday communal meals in private homes, the rich ate sumptuously in the dining room while the poor ate in the atrium with less food or none at all (1 Corinthians 11: 20-22, 33-34).
Therefore, what Jesus was saying to the Pharisees was not really about embarrassment. Rather, he gave insight into what it means to be humble. Many of us often think of humility as being self-deprecating. However, Jesus indicated that humility does not involve being concerned about social standing. This is difficult to do today. We don’t need to look any further than social media with the increase in the number of likes, views, and followers leading to popularity and higher social status. If humility also means being honest with oneself, then instead of denying that we are not concerned about social status, we should look at how much of a role they play in our lives and look at how we can spend the energy used in getting others’ approval to what God values, such as mercy, compassion, and justice. We can learn from Jesus by putting on the attitude expressed in the Gospel acclamation,” Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart,” (Matthew 11: 29ab).
Today is the memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, a person who followed this Gospel message of humility. He built up the diocese of Milan in its time of greatest need, helped others during times of famine, and bravely cared for the sick during an outbreak of the plague. He did all of these and more because he understood that the Gospel is lived out, “Be sure that you first preach by the way you live. If you do not, people will notice that you say one thing, but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head.” He and the Gospel reading challenge us to preach the Gospel with our actions and to not center our world on ourselves.
–Sr. Emily Sandoval, FMI