Be Unassuming

 

To be unassuming is not to demean one’s dignity, worth or potential.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Saturday of 30th Week in Ordinary Time, Yr. I, Nov. 4th, 2023
Texts: Romans 11:1-2.11-12.25-29; Psalm 94:12-15,17-18; Luke 14:1.7-11 

Jesus Christ teaches us, today, to be unassuming. He says, “When you are invited by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honour, lest a more eminent man than you be invited by him”. To be unassuming is not to demean one’s dignity, worth or potential. It is about giving up ostentation, the desire to showcase one’s worth or potential to satisfy one’s ego. Such desire portents shame. Jesus says “he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give place to this man, and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place.” 

Jesus Christ teaches us that unassuming personality portents honour. In His words: “But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher'; then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at table with you.” 

He also affirms that unassuming personality brings about exaltation. He puts it thus: “For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Unassuming personality does not demean but rather adds value to our worth or dignity. It gives our potential added value.  

Ostentation blindfolded them not to know the value of other nations

We see in today’s first reading how ostentation led the people of Israel into sin. Ostentation blindfolded them not to know the value of other nations. They could not see value in the Gentiles. God used people they counted insignificant to humble them. Hence, St. Paul says, “But through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.” When they are unassuming, they will be saved. Hence, St. Paul adds, “a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles come in, and so all Israel will be saved".  

St. Paul affirms that God never abandon His people. He says, “Has God rejected his people? By no means!” Their salvation holds greater good for the world. In the words of St. Paul: “Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!” God never abandons us, our salvation means greater than our trespass. 

Charles Borromeo is unassuming

Charles Borromeo, whose memorial is today, was unassuming. Without being unassuming he would not be able to give his property to the poor. He was a bishop and brought about reform. He reformed breviary and Canon law.  St. Charles Borromeo fed people at his own expense during famine. He also took care of people during plague. With unassuming personality, he contended with the challenges stirred up by his reformation. He died at age 46 on November 3rd.  

Prayer  

Preserve in the midst of your people, we ask, O Lord, the spirit with which you filled the Bishop Saint Charles Borromeo, that your Church may be constantly renewed and, by conforming herself to the likeness of Christ, may show his face to the world. Amen (collect)  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke