Born into nobility and made a cardinal at just 22, Charles Borromeo could have chased power. Instead, he chose humility. His uncle, Pope Pius IV, paved the way for a very political career within the Church. In a Church world rocked by scandal and the Protestant Reformation, we might have expected St. Charles Borromeo to be corrupted by the power and prestige that surrounded him.
Today’s liturgy emphasizes the importance of humility. (cf. Sir. 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; Lk. 14:1, 7-14) This is great for all of us, because humility is a key to growing in virtue and inoculates us against anxiety, sadness, and getting caught up in ourselves.
Anxious Generation
We live in an anxious generation.
As the Stoics and Buddhists taught long ago, happiness cannot be reached by eliminating all “triggers” from life; rather, happiness comes from learning to deprive external events of the power to trigger negative emotions in you(Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation).
This insight has quickly become an accepted truth in our society. And if even modern psychology notices the power of humility in relieving anxiety, how much more does Jesus, who commands it in today’s Gospel? Jesus wants to help with this as well, and this is part of why he suggests to us the virtue of humility.
Humility keeps priorities in proper order. It keeps you from being overwhelmed by your own circumstances and instead focuses your attention on God’s plans and purposes in those circumstances. It takes your focus off the immediate situation and helps you appreciate what the Lord is accomplishing behind the scenes (The Master’s University, “Humility vs. Anxiety”).
Humility is recognizing ourselves for who we truly are. This means recognizing our own failings but also recognizing the power of Christ that is within us. This can help overcome our feelings of inferiority that often lead to anxiety.
Pride makes us worry too much about status and how others see us. Jesus tears down this idea in the Gospel.
When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor (Lk. 14:8).
What do you do when you meet a new group of people or enter into an unfamiliar social situation? Perhaps you instinctively seek to establish yourself as the most powerful and influential in the room. It does not seem to be what Christ is commanding in this Gospel.
Jesus and Parties
One thing that struck me as I was reading this Gospel passage is that Jesus attends many parties and speaks about them as well. He talks about wedding feasts in his parables. His first sign in the Gospel of John was at a wedding feast. He is at a banquet when a Pharisee reproaches him because a woman of ill repute washes his feet. He concludes his time with his disciples at Passover, a moment we remember as the Last Supper.
How does Jesus act, and how does he expect his disciples to act? With humility. He does not seek the first place. He loves those who are around him, and he gives them an example of living without worrying about what the future holds. Jesus often commands the disciples and the crowds not to worry. He lives simply and does not need much to satisfy his needs. His attitude is prefigured in the first reading.
My son, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. Humble yourselves the more, the greater you are, and you will find mercy in the sight of God. For great is the power of the Lord; by the humble he is glorified (Sir. 3:17-20).
St. Charles Borromeo had to keep up appearances as a cardinal and archbishop of Milan. Beyond being a churchman, he was a political figure and fed around 70,000 people daily during a famine. His attire in public fit the powers of his office. Yet at home, in his own study, he wore a poor, threadbare cassock. Wearing it reminded him of his personal vow of poverty. He knew that the trappings of his office belonged to the office and not to him.
Styrofoam Cup
Recently, I heard a story about a businessman. He had recently stepped down as CEO of his company. He went to speak at a conference where he had been invited as well the year before. Afterwards, he made an interesting reflection.
Last year, I came to this conference and got picked up in a limo at the airport. I flew first class and the conference paid for it. I arrived at the conference center and was whisked to the VIP lounge. Then, came to speak and asked one of the assistants for a cup of coffee. He quickly brought hot coffee in a ceramic mug.
This year, I am no longer CEO. I flew coach and caught an Uber from the airport to get to the conference center. I found my way to the speakers’ lounge and asked about coffee. The young intern pointed me to the coffee maker and I poured myself coffee into a Styrofoam cup. It made me think. I deserve this Styrofoam cup. Last year, I had all the benefits of being CEO. People respect the position, not always the person.
So this week, when you see a Styrofoam cup, let it remind you that titles, honors, and privileges come and go – but humility keeps us grounded in God.
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