ACC ~ Luke 14 v7 - 14

JESUS CALLS US TO BE HUMBLE, MODEST AND PRAISEWORTHY

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: “When,” he says, “a man more honorable than you comes, he that invited you and him will say, ‘Provide a place for this man.’” Oh, what great shame is there in having to do this! It is like a theft, so to speak, and the restitution of the stolen goods. He must restore what he has seized because he had no right to take it. The modest and praiseworthy person, who without fear of blame might have claimed the dignity of sitting among the foremost, does not seek it. He yields to others what might be called his own, that he may not even seem to be overcome by empty pride. Such a one shall receive honor as his due. He says, “He shall hear him who invited him say, ‘Come up here.’” …

If any one among you wants to be set above others, let him win it by the decree of heaven and be crowned by those honors that God bestows. Let him surpass the many by having the testimony of glorious virtues. The rule of virtue is a lowly mind that does not love boasting. It is humility. The blessed Paul also counted this worthy of all esteem. He writes to those who eagerly desire saintly pursuits, “Love humility.” COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 102. [1]

[1] CGSL 411**.

THE HUMBLE AND THE PROUD

AUGUSTINE: There are humble religious, and there are proud religious. The proud ones should not promise themselves the kingdom of God. The place to which dedicated chastity leads is certainly higher, but the one who exalts himself will be humbled. Why seek the higher place with an appetite for the heights, when you can make it simply by holding on to lowliness? If you exalt yourself, God throws you down. If you cast yourself down, God lifts you up. One may not add to or subtract from the Lord’s pronouncement. SERMON 354.8. [1]

[1] WSA 3 10:160-61*.

JACOB’S LADDER THE PLACE OF EXALTATION OR HUMILIATION

BENEDICT: The Scripture asserts that “everyone that exalts himself will be humbled, and he that humbles himself will be exalted.” …

If we want to attain to true humility and come quickly to the top of that heavenly ascent to which we can only mount by lowliness in this present life, we must ascend by good works. We must erect the mystical ladder of Jacob, where angels ascending and descending appeared to him. Ascent and descent mean that we go downward when we exalt ourselves and rise when we are humbled. The ladder represents our life in this world, which our Lord erects to heaven when our heart is humbled. The sides of the ladder represent our soul and body, sides between which God has placed several rungs of humility and discipline, whereby we are to ascend if we would answer his call. RULE OF ST. BENEDICT 7. [1]

[1] LCC 12:301*.

THE POOR INVITED TO THE TABLE

IRENAEUS: Where are the hundredfold rewards in this age for the dinners offered to the poor? These things will be during the times of the kingdom, on the seventh day that is sanctified when God rested from all his works that he made. This is the true sabbath of the just, in which they will have no earthly work to do, but will have a table prepared before them by God, who will feed them with all kinds of delicacies. AGAINST HERESIES 5.33.2. [1]

[1] LCC 1:394*.