Receive Humility
THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
In today's Gospel reading taken from St. Luke chapter fifteen, we find two of Jesus' most memorable teachings: the parable of the Lost Sheep and the parable of the Lost Coin. And if we were to continue reading in Chapter fifteen, we would find a third parable, that of the prodigal son. And what was the compelling occasion that caused Jesus to tell these parables? St. Luke records that the Scribes and Pharisees were muttering bad things about him since they had noticed he permitted sinners to approach him and even eat with him (cf. Lk 15: 1-3).
Jesus is drawing all sorts of unseemly characters to himself, sinners of all kinds. And what's worse, he's breaking bread with them, entering into the homes of the likes of such social pariahs as Matthew, the tax collector, and Mary Magdalene, the prostitute. Jesus is receiving sinners causing the religious class, the Pharisees and the Scribes, to murmur, meaning they are complaining and uttering accusations amongst themselves and throughout the crowd gathered around the Lord. They're trying to incite a public charge against Him because Jesus is not only receiving sinners but is being received by them, as they seek him out and sit in his presence.
His offense is fairly plain to see: the Pharisees believed that in receiving sinners, Jesus was showing the most undesirable Israelites an undeserved honor, and at the same time He injured their pride, who previously had, allowed Jesus the distinction of being received at their table, but who now would have to be ashamed of such a guest. By his actions, Jesus is as unworthy to be in the presence of the religious leaders as sinners and publicans.
Notice the two types of people Jesus has attracted to himself: sinners and the self-righteous. And yet, only one of these have come to "hear him." And why are sinners coming to be in his presence to hear what he has to say? One, because Jesus is truly and openly receiving in friendship those whom everyone else has shunned. Two, he is gentle towards them and speaks words of divine mercy and grace. And three, Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
But what of the Scribes and Pharisees? Why do they separate themselves from Jesus? These Scribes and Pharisees were notoriously righteous; they were the scrupulous interpreters and observers of the law, and yet they could not bring themselves into the very presence of God in the flesh, Jesus Christ. They were incapable of seeing beyond their own self-righteous pride; not only were they superior to this rabble of sinners but superior to Jesus as well, who was befriending them.
Pride is the great sin that separates. And pride knows nothing of mercy- the Scribes and Pharisees condemned such sinners and publicans. Pride knows nothing of mercy because it's incapable of having compassion on others viewed as less than deserving to prideful eyes. It looks down from on high and says, "You don't deserve mercy."
Pride, then, exists as an impenetrable barrier, a wall that separates the prideful man from others; no one is ever worthy of being admitted into his presence, and after a time, no one comes at all. If they do not humble themselves and repent, the prideful become a murmurer among a brood of Miserables, neither receiving others or being received.
The Scribes and Pharisees, who were as sick if not sicker than the unhealthiest of sinners, were in great need of the Physician, yet they were unwilling to seek Divine assistance. You see, pride breeds an unhealthy strand of stubborn and arrogant self-reliance with no need for anything or anyone, not even God. This is the type of arrogant pride which the Lord hates, "I hate arrogant pride and the evil way and perverse utterances."
This is the pride that comes before the Fall. It outright rejects Divine Wisdom, calls it foolishness while reveling in the wisdom of men. Like the fool who hears the word of God, ponders it, then chooses to go a completely different route. "Sure Lord, that sounds good, but I think I'll do it my way." I think this is what St. John has in mind when he speaks of 'the pride of life.' And this pride can overtake the Christian.
The pride of the Scribes and Pharisees put them at odds with God and neighbor. They judged Jesus and condemned those who had come to hear him. Pride fires the first shot in the rebellious war against the Creator. The prideful man is always at odds with God, and God stands against the prideful. So says the psalmist, "The boastful shall not stand before His eyes; God hates all evildoers" (Ps 5:5).
Like the Scribe and Pharisees, pride sins not only against God but others as well. To perpetrate the sin of pride against our neighbor is to assault the very Image-Maker himself. Pride is an assault on all that is good, and therefore it is mightily opposed by the Lord, for "God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble" (1 Pt 5:5). And because pride is first an act of cosmic treason, an act of rebellion against God, it must be punished. So, let me be perfectly clear, God will enact punishment against the proud. He will humble you. Remember, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb 10:31).
Therefore, heed the words of St. Peter: "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." Let us look no further than to Jesus, who is the very virtue of Humility personified. He is our example. Who is this Son of God who willingly makes himself lower than the angels by taking humanity upon himself? The greater becoming as the lesser. The eternal God condescends and abases himself; he comes and eats with sinners such as you and me.
Humility not only receives sinners but is happily received by them as well. Humility places not a single barrier between self and others. In fact, Humility has no regard for self but bears great concern for pride-filled, abstinent sheep who have wandered away, scattered of their own volition by sin and vice. You see, Humility leaves the ninety-nine and goes after the one who is lost.
And let's not think of the lost sheep as some poor innocent victim of circumstance or lacking a sense of direction. To be lost in scripture is to actively fall away from the Shepherd. The Lost Sheep are lost because they have wandered away because of sin (all like sheep have gone astray). Sheep get lost because, in their pride, they choose to shepherd themselves and wandered away from The Great Shepherd of the Sheep: pride and obstinacy always go together. The proud resist godliness and authority, both human and Divine.
But give thanks, beloved, for Humility will search and seek after the one who has gone astray. Why? Because Jesus is a merciful shepherd, and you are valuable in his sight, he will light a candle, sweep the floor and seek diligently until you are brought back into his treasury, and the angels rejoice in heaven!
It is the grace of Divine Humility which rescues us from pride and all vice if we will merely humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and give ourselves, our souls and bodies, to the one who loved us enough to leave the ninety-nine and bring us back to himself. Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who moves heaven and earth to love us back into the image of himself. Amen+
