Thoughts for the Day

When Jesus noticed how the guests chose the place of honour, he told them a parable. 'When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honour, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, "Give this person your place", and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, "Friend, move up higher"; then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.'

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Question: What is humility? Is it being a doormat and allowing others to walk all over you? Answer: No, it is not being a doormat and allowing others to walk all over you!

Jesus' parable of the Wedding Banquet is all about humility, and humility is about believing that every person is equally valuable, and realising that you are not worth more or less than anyone else. The world seems to believe that you have to fight for what you want, and you should get everything you want when you want it. This often leads to aggressive behaviour. Humility and low-esteem also get confused. The world thinks that self-assertiveness is good, but being humble doesn't mean you have low-esteem. Humility is knowing that you have some good qualities as does everyone else.

One of life's skills is the ability to listen - to really listen - to draw out another's feelings or thoughts, not to sort out their problems, but just to respond to them with empathy as another life-traveller. A humble person often has good listening skills. Try it!*

*See: Thursday 25th June, follow up thoughts

Lord Jesus,
You taught your followers to be jumble
to listen with understanding,
to empathise,
not to interrupt,
and to stand alongside someone
in solidarity.
Help us so to learn this skill
that we can be humble
even as you were.
Amen.