22nd Sunday Reflection by Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C

By Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba, Parish Priest of St. Dominic Catholic Church, Ifewara, Osun State

Readings:

• First Reading: Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 3:19–21, 30–31
• Second Reading: Hebrews 12:18–19, 22–24
• Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7–14

Theme: Self-Exaltation Humbles and Humility Exalts

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Introduction: A Word of Peace

Peace of the Lord be with you, beloved brethren in Christ Jesus. Each new Sunday that God grants us is a precious opportunity to pause, reflect, and measure how we are running the race of life. For indeed, life is not a stagnant pool; it is a journey, a movement, a race. St. Paul himself, in many of his writings, compared our earthly pilgrimage to a race where the prize is eternal life in Christ. But the critical question is this: how are we running this race?

Some run for themselves — the selfish race. Others run for their own righteousness — the legalistic race. But the highest and most noble race is the one run for Christ, what I shall call the great Christian race. Today’s readings challenge us to examine not only the direction of our race but the spirit in which we run it.

At the heart of this Sunday’s message is a profound truth: those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (cf. Luke 14:11).

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Part I: The Race of Life – Three Pathways

1. The Great Selfish Race

There are many in this world who live only for themselves. Their vision is narrow, their actions self-centred, their desires insatiable. They pursue wealth, pleasure, fame, or power without considering God or neighbour. Their motto is simple: “What can I gain? What is in this for me?”

Yet, beloved, a selfish race is ultimately an empty one. It is like a man running tirelessly in circles, never reaching the finish line. The book of Ecclesiasticus reminds us: “The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favour in the sight of the Lord” (Sirach 3:18). The selfish person, unwilling to bend low, finds no true favour before God.

2. The Great Legalistic Race

Others run for self-righteousness. They cling to the law, to religious observances, to outward piety — but without inner conversion. This was the weakness of the Old Covenant approach. Sacrifices were offered, rituals performed, laws followed meticulously, yet all remained incomplete. Why? Because man’s imperfection could not bridge the gap between God’s holiness and our human frailty.

As St. Paul reminds us in Romans 3:20: “No human being will be justified in his sight by works of the law, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” The law revealed God’s holiness but could not supply the grace to live it fully. Thus, the legalistic race leaves us fearful, approaching God as a distant judge rather than a loving Father.

3. The Great Christian Race

The third and highest way is the Christian race. This is not a race run out of fear but out of love; not for personal glory but for God’s glory. It is a race empowered by grace, not by mere human effort.

The Letter to the Hebrews contrasts the old fearful approach of Sinai with the joyful, heavenly approach of the new covenant. “You have not come to something that can be touched… but you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12:18, 22). Through Christ, we are brought face to face with God, heart to heart, spirit to spirit. This is the Christian race — humble, grace-filled, and destined for eternal communion.

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Part II: The Gospel Scene – The Ambitious Guest

In today’s Gospel, St. Luke paints a vivid picture. Jesus was invited to dine at the house of a leading Pharisee. The evangelist notes carefully that “they were watching him” (Luke 14:1). Their interest was not innocent; it was sinister. They wanted to trap him, to find fault in him.

While there, Jesus observed how the guests were scrambling for the seats of honour. Imagine the scene: elbows pushing, eyes darting, each person calculating where best to sit so as to be noticed. In this seemingly ordinary social gathering, Christ unveils a spiritual truth.

He tells the parable of the ambitious guest:

• If you sit in the place of honour, you risk humiliation when someone more distinguished arrives and the host asks you to move down. You will be disgraced before all.
• But if you humbly take the lowest seat, the host himself may invite you higher. Then you will be honoured in the presence of all.

Jesus concludes with the timeless principle: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

This teaching cuts across time and culture. Ambition is not new; it has always existed. From the Tower of Babel to the Pharisees of Christ’s time, humanity’s tendency is to seek the highest place. Yet, God’s way is different: He lifts up the humble and casts down the proud.

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Part III: The Spirituality of Humility

1. What is Humility?

Humility is often misunderstood as weakness or lack of confidence. But true humility is strength under God. It is not self-hatred, but proper self-understanding. The humble person recognises both his limitations and his dignity as a child of God. He knows that all good comes from God and returns to God.

St. Augustine defined humility as “the foundation of all other virtues.” Without humility, pride creeps in and destroys every good work. Humility is not about thinking less of oneself but about thinking of oneself less and thinking of God and others more.

2. Biblical Witness to Humility

• Moses: Though called to lead Israel, he is described as “the most humble man on earth” (Numbers 12:3).
• Mary, the Mother of Jesus: In her Magnificat, she sings: “He has looked upon the lowliness of his handmaid… He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly” (Luke 1:48, 52).
• Christ Himself: He is the perfect example of humility. Though he was in the form of God, he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, obedient unto death on the Cross (Philippians 2:6–8).

3. Why Does God Exalt the Humble?

The proud heart closes itself off from grace, believing it needs nothing. But the humble heart is open, receptive, and ready to be filled by God. Pride says, “I can do it myself.” Humility says, “I can do nothing apart from God.” And so, God pours out his favour upon the humble.

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Part IV: Practical Lessons for Daily Life

The parable of the ambitious guest is not merely about seating arrangements at a banquet. It is about the attitudes that govern our daily lives.

1. In the Family

How often do quarrels arise because of pride? Spouses insist on their own way, children refuse correction, siblings compete for attention. Humility transforms the family. A humble husband listens to his wife. A humble wife respects her husband. Humble children obey their parents. Where humility reigns, peace flourishes.

2. In the Workplace

Modern society prizes ambition and self-promotion. Yet, Christ calls us to a different spirit. The humble worker does his task diligently without seeking constant recognition. The humble leader serves his team rather than lords over them. Imagine how different our offices, businesses, and communities would be if humility guided promotions rather than pride.

3. In the Church

Even within the Church, ambition can creep in. People desire positions, titles, or recognition. But remember, beloved, that in God’s kingdom the greatest is the one who serves (cf. Matthew 23:11). Ministries, choirs, councils — all should be places of service, not stages for self-glory.

4. In Personal Spiritual Life

When we approach God in prayer, do we come as beggars in need of mercy, or as Pharisees listing our achievements? Do we trust in our fasting, our tithes, our devotions, or do we humbly say, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner”? Humility makes prayer powerful because it touches God’s heart.

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Part V: The Eternal Perspective

The greatest banquet of all is the heavenly banquet. There, only the humble will have a seat. Christ warns us that many who appear important on earth will find themselves least in heaven, while those who served quietly will shine with glory.

The parable of today is thus a preparation for eternity. Every choice of humility here on earth is a step towards exaltation in heaven. Every act of pride is a dangerous stumble.

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Conclusion: Walking the Week in Humility

Beloved brethren in Christ, as we step into this new week, let us remember:

• Pride isolates, humility connects.
• Pride destroys, humility builds.
• Pride makes us stumble, humility helps us rise.

Therefore, seek the lowest seat, and God himself will raise you higher than you ever imagined.

May the Holy Spirit guide your steps, may Christ teach you gentleness of heart, and may the Father bless your humble service with heavenly glory.

Peace of the Lord be with you all.

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Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you who humbled yourself to share in our humanity, teach us the beauty of humility. Save us from the snares of pride, ambition, and self-glory. Grant us hearts like yours — meek and humble — so that in serving you and our neighbour, we may be exalted with you in eternal life. Amen.

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22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR C

READINGS: 1st Ecclesiasticus3:19-21, 30-31, 2nd Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24.
Gospel: LUKE 14:1, 7-14.
THEME: Self-Exaltation Humbles and Humility Exalts.
Reflection: Peace of the Lord be with you, beloved brethren in Christ the Lord. Life is a race. A race that we are running. There are several ways that we can run the race of life: We can run the race of life for self, which is called the great selfish-race. We can also run the race of life for self-righteousness which is termed the great legalistic race. We can also run the race of life for Christ: called the great Christian race.
But why should we run the great Christian race? It is an approach to God, motivation towards God. The source of our being. It has two faces: namely the Old Covenant approach: in view of imperfection of man, man struggles for perfection through the offering of animal sacrifices for remission of sins. It wasn’t enough! Then through the observance of the law of God. The observance of the law didn’t give us full concept of God. It wasn’t adequate, it was an external material approach to God. It was an earthly approach, material place, it wasn’t spiritual in nature. It is only a spiritual approach that will last eternally. Any person who approached God through the Old Covenant of law faced a holy, distant God of judgement: It was a reluctant fearful approach to God. Through imperfection, the law is going to condemn the person (Rom 3:19-20).
The new approach to God is the new covenant, the covenant of God’s grace. The grace of God’s very own son. This approach is spiritual and heavenly approach to God: where God sits, the heavenly Jerusalem, Mount Sion, The City of the living God. It is an approach face to face, an approach heart to heart (Jn 4:23-24). The approach of the new covenant is to the angels of God: the approach of the new covenant is to the Church of Christ, the church of the firstborn. The religionists watched Jesus with sinister purpose.
The importance of the virtue of humility was highlighted by Christ: He noticed how people scrambled for highest seat of honor. This parable is that of the ambitious guest. The teaching focuses on a person who wants more recognition.
Lessons: if the ambitious man or woman takes a higher seat, these are likely to happen: He/she will be displaced, all the seats may have been taken, he/she will take less visible seat, he/she will be embarrassed! If he/she had taken a lesser seat, this is likely to happen: His/her presence is acknowledged by the Host, rewarded, moved to higher place, he/she is recognized and honored by all.
Lesson: Self exaltation humbles and humility exalts!
Beloved brethren in Christ, as you go out this new week, May the presence of the Holy Spirit of God assist you to enable you to approach the journey of faith in life with humility of heart.
Peace of the Lord be with you all.