Homily: August 31, 2025, Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Humility).

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 “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

In his younger days, St. Augustine was an arrogant and prideful man. He was highly intelligent, witty and skilled in rhetorical arguments. He thought his intelligence was above all men and was never convinced that believing in God could make any difference in his life.

And yet this same Augustine, in his later years, when asked to name the three most important virtues, and he replied: “Humility, humility, and humility.” He had found God and discovered how very great God is, and how very tiny, small he was.

Augustine exalted himself high above others, yet he could not reach Almighty God. But when he humbled himself, God reached him.  

This Sunday’s readings and responsorial psalm centered on the theme of humility. 

In the first reading, we heard: “Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.”

In this materialistic world, many tend to show preference for people with power, status, authority and popularity. But our God does not care for such passing externals, He prefers the simple, the poor, the downtrodden, the humble.

In the letter of St. James, we read: “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Truly, we need nothing other than God’s favor and grace to find real peace, joy and satisfaction in life. Worldly accolades, titles, achievements do nothing to add value to the essence of our being. They might make others think we are high and mighty, but such empty awards do not help us reach anywhere near the highest of heaven.

But people who are humble are aware of their weaknesses, their smallness, their nothingness, and are in awe and reverence for the greatness of God. That awareness opens their heart to receive God’s grace and mercy. They are the ones who will be lifted higher than anyone could ever climb on their own merit.

So be forewarned, pride and arrogance will ultimately slide you down to the lowest place of dark forever, but humility before God will raise you up into heavenly eternity.

Let this be our daily prayer and intention: “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like Yours.”

Amen.


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 “This is how he died, leaving in his death a model of courage and an unforgettable example of virtue not only for the young but for the whole nation.” Today’s first reading recounts the martyrdom of Eleazar, one of the most inspiring figures in the Old Testament. Listening to his story, especially how he died, gives us goosebumps.  A grand 90-year-old wise man was brutally tortured and killed because he refused to abandon his faith or eat what was forbidden by God’s law. He believed it was not worthy of his old age to give a poor example to the young. His heroic death thus gave courage to a whole generation. His story reminds me of another great model of unwavering faith.  St. Polycarp, the 80-year-old bishop of Smyrna. When he was brought before the Roman authorities and told to deny Christ, he said: “Eighty years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?” Then, with peace and courage, he accepted martyrdom by fire. The B...
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