Be humble, sit down. The words of Kendrick Lamar serve as a great summary of Jesus’ parable in today’s Gospel. Tim Breen, SJ, reflects on the importance of seeing the bigger picture and focusing less on ourselves. Based on the readings for Sunday, August 28, 2022.
In the words of the great philosopher, and Pulitzer-prize winning rapper, Kendrick Lamar: Sit down, be humble.
Hi, I’m Deacon Tim Breen, and this is my One Minute Homily.
If you’ve ever had to organize seating, for a formal event or even for a classroom, you know it’s a challenge. Who can (or can’t!) sit with who? Who gets, or better, who needs the most important spots in the front?
To do this well we have to see the big picture and the needs of the whole. If we all only think of ourselves, we can selfishly miss out on that perspective.
Today, Jesus challenges us to move past our selfishness and limited perspective. He calls us beyond thinking only of ourselves or our prestige when we choose our spot or what we can get out of inviting guests. The real honor and reward is in being humble.
So, maybe it’s better this time to flip Kendrick’s words around: be humble first, then sit down.
