Sir. 35:15-17, 20-22; 2 Tim. 4:6-8, 16-18; Lk 18:9-14
Today's
First Reading from the Book of Sirach draws our confidence in the Lord so we
may rely upon Him in all our undertakings. The reading states that, the
prayer of the humble pierces the clouds, and it will not rest until it reaches
its goal; it will not desist
until the Most High responds and does justice for the righteous, and executes judgment. Indeed, the Lord will not delay."
until the Most High responds and does justice for the righteous, and executes judgment. Indeed, the Lord will not delay."
Today's
reading from the Gospel of Luke also speaks of humility. As we heard in
the Parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, the Pharisee judged himself
as righteous, viewing others in contempt. Jesus told his listeners
looking at the tax collector, "I tell you, this man went back home
justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled,
but all who humble themselves will be exalted."
In
today's liturgy the Church gives us the message to be humble.
As I was browsing
through the net I came across a number of interesting lessons in humility in
the life some well known people.
Ingvar
Kamprad, The founder of IKEA, has a net worth of $ 3.4 billion.
According to a 2006 Reuters article, he flies only economy class and chose to
drive a 1993 Volvo 240. Aside from that, he prefers to take the bus from time
to time. He reportedly recycles tea bags and is known to pocket the salt and
pepper packets at restaurants.
N. R.
Narayana Murthy, The co-founder of Infosys travels by a company
bus on Saturdays. Simplicity, humility and maintaining a low
profile are the hallmarks of this super-rich Bangalorean. The man still doesn't
know how to drive a car. On Saturdays - his driver's weekly off - he is driven
to the bus stop by his wife, from where he boards a company bus to work.
Azim
Premji, The chairman of Wipro Limited often takes a three-wheel auto
rickshaw to and from the airport.
Tim Cook,
The CEO of Apple still wakes up at 4 AM to go to work every day.
There
were also some great world leaders who set examples in humility. Jose
Mujica, Uruguay's former president was the "world's poorest
president" for good reason. Mujica was shot
multiple times and spent 14 years in jail in harsh, isolated
conditions. When he was elected Uruguayan president in 2009,
Mujica donated 90 percent of his presidential salary to charity
and ditched the lavish presidential palace, opting instead
to live in his ramshackle farm with his wife. For the longest
time, his sole personal asset amounted to a 1987 Volkswagen Beetle.
Joyce
Banda, shortly after being elected the first female president of Malawi, sold
off the presidential jet and the fleet of 60 Mercedes limousines in
an effort to steer the then-struggling country to financial austerity.
Sushil
Koirala, was Nepal's prime minister for a short time. In a nation where
politicians are typically associated with wealth, Koirala's only
declared assets while prime minister were three mobile
phones. Before moving into the official prime minister residences, the BBC
reported that he rented a house in Kathmandu. Koirala is also said to have
stayed with his brother when he visited the city instead of a hotel.
The
Bible places great emphasis on humility. The birth of Jesus, Life of
Jesus, Washing of the feet of the Apostles, death on the cross and burial
in the borrowed tomb are the lessons Jesus set before us. In the parable of the
Pharisee and the tax collector Jesus tells us that if we are humble we
will find favour in the presence of God.
St Peter
wrote, "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one
another, because, "God opposes the proud but shows favour
to the humble." (1 Pet 5:5-7)
But the
reality is that much of the world is far from humble. They leverage our
increasingly-connected society to display their wealth. While there's certainly
nothing wrong with having or making money, there is something wrong with trying
to rub it in others' faces, especially those that are struggling even to make
ends meet.
Many of
us have no idea what's really going on with others. We have no idea of the
struggles that they're facing, or the difficulties that they're attempting to
overcome.
Humble
people know their self-worth. As a result, they don't feel the need to cast
themselves before others just to show them how much they know.
Instead.
Humility
is the true key to success. Successful people lose their way at times. They
often embrace and overindulge from the fruits of success. Humility halts this
arrogance and self-indulging trap. Humble people are ready to
listen to others with understanding.
Dr Kumar
was a gastroenterologist. One day he got a call from Mr Ahmed. He said, "
Doctor my wife is really ill. She got terrible stomach ache. She can't bear it.
Can I come and see you?" He said, "By all means."
The
doctor examined her and found that she has an infected appendix. The
doctor said, "A surgery has to be done and she will be alright."
Surgery was done and they left the hospital.
One year
later Abdul called the doctor again. He said, Doctor my wife has got a stomach
ache. Please do the appendix operation."
The
doctor said, "Listen! I am a doctor. I will examine her and find out what
is her illness and then will decide the treatment." But Abdul insisted,
"No doctor, fix up the time for operation. We will come" The doctor
was losing his patience. He said, "Let me see the patient and do the
diagnosis." But Abdul insisted on the operation.
The
doctor was furious. He said, "Let me tell you every human being has only
one appendix. I removed it from your wife." Abdul waited patiently for the
doctor to finish. Then he said, "Doctor, one human being can have
only one appendix. But a man can have two wives."
Clearly,
it's important to be humble. We can all do our part to show more humility in
life, even if we think we might lack the capacity to do so. Humble people are
interested in adding value to the world. They look beyond their immediate needs
and consider the needs of others. They ask themselves how they can bring true
value to the world and to the lives of others. By showing humility, we
become more grateful for the things that you have, rather than simply desiring
the things that you don't have.
Let us
learn to be humble and appreciate the blessings of God.
Satish