Humble Service

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to embrace humble service as our key to participation fully in the Banquet of Life.

Celebrating Family

The reading from the Book of Sirach reminds us of our responsibilities to parents.

* [3:17–24] Humility gives you a true estimate of yourself (vv. 17–20; cf. 10:28), so that you will do what should be done, and avoid what is beyond your understanding and strength (vv. 21–23). Intellectual pride, however, leads you astray (v. 24). Ben Sira is perhaps warning his students against the perils of Greek philosophy. (Sirach, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 68 may have accompanied the early autumn Feast of Tabernacles.

* [Psalm 68] The Psalm is extremely difficult because the Hebrew text is badly preserved and the ceremony that it describes is uncertain. The translation assumes the Psalm accompanied the early autumn Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkoth), which included a procession of the tribes (Ps 68:25–28). Israel was being oppressed by a foreign power, perhaps Egypt (Ps 68:31–32)—unless Egypt stands for any oppressor. (Psalms, PSALM 68 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the Letter to the Hebrews contrasts two great assemblies of people.

* [12:18] This remarkably beautiful passage contrasts two great assemblies of people: that of the Israelites gathered at Mount Sinai for the sealing of the old covenant and the promulgation of the Mosaic law, and that of the followers of Jesus gathered at Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, the assembly of the new covenant. This latter scene, marked by the presence of countless angels and of Jesus with his redeeming blood, is reminiscent of the celestial liturgies of the Book of Revelation.

* [12:23] The assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven: this expression may refer to the angels of Heb 12:22, or to the heroes of the Old Testament (see Heb 11), or to the entire assembly of the new covenant.

* [12:24] Speaks more eloquently: the blood of Abel, the first human blood to be shed, is contrasted with that of Jesus. Abel’s blood cried out from the earth for vengeance, but the blood of Jesus has opened the way for everyone, providing cleansing and access to God (Heb 10:19). (Hebrews, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus addresses the Conduct of Invited Guests and Hosts.

* [14:7–14] The banquet scene found only in Luke provides the opportunity for these teachings of Jesus on humility and presents a setting to display Luke’s interest in Jesus’ attitude toward the rich and the poor (see notes on Lk 4:18; 6:20–26; 12:13–34). (Luke, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Elvin Cardoso, SJ, comments that Jesus is teaching us about the heart of God. He’s not giving us an etiquette lesson. He is demonstrating how God’s kingdom functions. In God’s banquet, the proud are relegated to the sidelines, and the humble are welcomed. Humility is not about perceiving ourselves as inferior. Rather, it’s about acknowledging our imperfections and embracing the love that surrounds us.

Sometimes, we come to God limping — poor in spirit, broken in body and mind, feeling we do not belong. But God surprises us. He invites us to the table in ways we cannot expect or imagine, just as we are.

Let us pause to ponder what our lives could be like if we lived that way. What if we stopped trying to earn God’s love and simply accepted it? What if we believed that our weakness isn’t a barrier, but a channel through which God’s grace and goodness can flow? (Cardoso, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus calls us to be humble, modest, and praiseworthy,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"'When,' he says, 'a man more honorable than you comes, he that invited you and him will say, 'Give this man place.' Oh, what great shame is there in having to do this! It is like a theft, so to speak, and the restitution of the stolen goods. He must restore what he has seized because he had no right to take it. The modest and praiseworthy person, who without fear of blame might have claimed the dignity of sitting among the foremost, does not seek it. He yields to others what might be called his own, that he may not even seem to be overcome by empty pride. Such a one shall receive honor as his due. He says, 'He shall hear him who invited him say, "Come up here."... If any one among you wants to be set above others, let him win it by the decree of heaven and be crowned by those honors that God bestows. Let him surpass the many by having the testimony of glorious virtues. The rule of virtue is a lowly mind that does not love boasting. It is humility. The blessed Paul also counted this worthy of all esteem. He writes to those who eagerly desire saintly pursuits, 'Love humility.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 101.5) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 14:1, 7-14 comments that Jesus is asking us to choose a life of humility and generosity—just as he did.

That’s how Jesus wants us to live: in a spirit of humility and self-giving for anyone who is hurting in any way. And he asks us to do this, not on our own strength, but by drawing on the grace that he pours into us. So fix your eyes on Jesus, the humble One, today, and let him make you a little bit more like himself.

“Lord, give me a heart like yours—the heart of a servant!” (Meditation on Luke 14:1, 7-14, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the readings for today.

Fr. Richard Rohr describes prayer as a practice of being present before the mystery of God.

Prayer is indeed the way to make contact with God/Ultimate Reality, but it is not an attempt to change God’s mind about us or about events. It’s primarily about changing our mind so that things like infinity, mystery, and forgiveness can resound within us. A small mind cannot see great things because the two are on two different frequencies or channels, as it were. The Big Mind can know big things, but we must change channels. Like will know like. [1] 

Of all the things I have learned and taught over the years, I can think of nothing that could be more helpful than living in the now. It’s truly time-tested wisdom. So many leaders in so many traditions have taught the same thing: Hindu masters, Zen and Tibetan Buddhists, Sufi poets, Jewish rabbis, and Christian mystics, to name a few. In the Christian tradition, we have heard it from Augustine, the Cloud of Unknowing, and the Carmelite Brother Lawrence. Contemporary teachers like Alan Watts, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Ekhart Tolle have done much to help us understand the importance of living in the now. It’s a shame that this real and deep tradition of the present moment has been lost to so many. 

Jesuit priest Jean-Pierre de Caussade called this type of prayer the “sacrament of the present moment.” In his book, Abandonment to Divine Providence, the key theme is: “If we have abandoned ourselves [to God], there is only one rule for us: the duty of the present moment.” [2] To live in the present is finally what we mean by presence itself! God is hidden in plain sight, yet religion seems determined to make it more complicated. [3] (Rohr, 2025)

We are blessed to gather with family and friends to celebrate the special occasions of life and to enhance that life through our humble service and followers of Christ.

References

Cardoso, E. (2025, August 31). Daily Reflection August 31, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved August 31, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-august-31-2025 

Hebrews, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 31, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/12?18 

Luke, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 31, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/14?1 

Meditation on Luke 14:1, 7-14. (n.d.). Word Among Us Homepage. Retrieved August 31, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/08/31/1366170/ 

Psalms, PSALM 68 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 31, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/68?4 

Rohr, R. (2025, August 29). Choosing to Become Present. CAC.org. Retrieved August 31, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/choosing-to-become-present/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). He Who Exalts Himself Will Be Humbled. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 31, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=aug31 

Sirach, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 31, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/3?17 

Sharing Talents

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to assess the extent to which we use our God-given talents to nourish our environment with charity, patience, thanksgiving and humility.

Building Community

The Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians celebrates Mutual Charity.

In Psalm 98 we are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world.

* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9). (Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus presents The Parable of the Talents.

* [25:14–30] Cf. Lk 19:12–27.

* [25:14] It will be as when…journey: literally, “For just as a man who was going on a journey.” Although the comparison is not completed, the sense is clear; the kingdom of heaven is like the situation here described. Faithful use of one’s gifts will lead to participation in the fullness of the kingdom, lazy inactivity to exclusion from it.

* [25:15] Talents: see note on Mt 18:24.

* [25:18] Buried his master’s money: see note on Mt 13:44.

* [25:20–23] Although the first two servants have received and doubled large sums, their faithful trading is regarded by the master as fidelity in small matters only, compared with the great responsibilities now to be given to them. The latter are unspecified. Share your master’s joy: probably the joy of the banquet of the kingdom; cf. Mt 8:11.

* [25:26–28] Wicked, lazy servant: this man’s inactivity is not negligible but seriously culpable. As punishment, he loses the gift he had received, that is now given to the first servant, whose possessions are already great.

* [25:29] See note on Mt 13:12 where there is a similar application of this maxim.

* [25:30] See note on Mt 8:11–12. (Matthew, CHAPTER 25 | USCCB, n.d.)

A Member of the Creighton University Community is led to some prayers of St. Teresa of Avila, while reflecting on today’s readings. St. Teresa wrote, “God has no hands but ours!”

 

A prayer of St. Teresa of Avila:

Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things,
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.

May you live a tranquil life!
May God bless the work of your hands. (Daily Reflection August 30, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Eternal Joys”, by Gregory the Great (540-604 AD).

"All the good deeds of our present life, however many they may appear to be, are few in comparison with our eternal recompense. The faithful servant is put in charge of many things after overcoming all the troubles brought him by perishable things. He glories in the eternal joys of his heavenly dwelling. He is brought completely into the joy of his master when he is taken into his eternal home and joined to the company of angels. His inner joy at his gift is such that there is no longer any external perishable thing that can cause him sorrow." (excerpt from FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 9.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 25:14-30 comments that Jesus’ lesson is clear: he wants us to be generous with whatever blessings he has given us. He wants us to keep our hearts open for the promptings of the Spirit so that we can give those blessings away.

So don’t bury your gifts; make sure they keep flowing out to other people! Even if you don’t think you have much to offer, you might be surprised by how “rich” you really are—and by all the opportunities you’ll find to share your gifts:

• A chance to encourage an anxious friend.

• A chance to forgive a harsh word.

• A chance to welcome an outsider.

• A chance to give an unexpected gift.

• A chance to share the good news.

• A chance to pray with a neighbor.

• And many, many more.

Never underestimate the effect of any act of love offered in Christ. Every drop of rain makes a river more powerful, just as every invested “talent” produces a high yield for the kingdom of God.

“Lord, may your blessings always flow through me!” (Meditation on Matthew 25:14-30, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Paul continues to exhort us to live in charity, tranquillity and work with our hands. This is contrary to those in Paul’s community who responded to the imminent coming of Jesus by not working. Conversion needs the witness of a good lifestyle. The “talent” in Matthew’s Gospel was a measure of precious metal, an incredible fortune. The one talent is buried in fear of punishment by the Master.  We have to use our gifts in trust to build up the community. Friar Jude reminds us that the conclusion that those with much will be richer and those with little will lose it is reference to our faith. 

Fr. Richard Rohr introduces University chaplain Lynn Cooper who offers suggestions for how we might develop the tools to engage in interfaith friendships. 

Inhabiting the ethic of active listening and practicing self-emptying, we bring mindfulness and intentionality to this work. With this foundation, we can be fully present with others, engaging genuine curiosity and beginner’s mind. Remember that this way of being in the world often leads to a reconfiguring of self. Being open to revelation and conversion requires humility—a sense of deep knowing that we are God’s and God’s work is ongoing.   (Rohr, 2025)

We reflect on the talents we have been entrusted to use to bring the blessings of our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader to the community in which we encourage people to live fully as children of God.

References

Daily Reflection August 30, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries. (2025, August 30). Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved August 30, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-august-30-2025 

Matthew, CHAPTER 25 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/25?14 

Meditation on Matthew 25:14-30. (n.d.). Homepage. Retrieved August 30, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/08/30/1365572/ 

Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1 

Rohr, R. (2025, August 29). Can Christians Be Makers of Peace? — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC.org. Retrieved August 30, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/can-christians-be-makers-of-peace/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Master Will Settle His Account with Them. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 30, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=aug30