It's no wonder the Lord is the best event planner. Today’s Gospel from St. Luke describes an occasion when the Lord dined at the home of a leading Pharisee. As they always did, the Pharisees observed everything the Lord said and did at dinner. But, as the Lord always did, he was the one observing them. The Lord’s attention was drawn to how the guests were selecting the most prominent seats at the dinner.

Wherever we humans are present, the consequences of Original Sin will always be seen. From childhood, we have a tendency toward pride, vanity, and ostentation. As He sees the guests choosing the best seats, the Lord, in his role as event planner, acts. The Lord first gives his recommendations to the guests and then to the host. For the sake of time, I will focus on the recommendations to the guests.

The Lord advises them to be humble, "For he who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." The value of humility is what the author of the Book of Sirach emphasizes in the Old Testament reading today. He says, "My son, conduct your affairs with humility...Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.” What beautiful advice!

In the Gospel, the Lord seeks to teach the guests a lesson about humility. The Lord’s teaching emphasizes humility as an important virtue in our spiritual life. When we despise all external exaltation, we place ourselves in a spiritual space appropriate for receiving the divine spiritual gifts that help us succeed in the spiritual life. The Lord Himself gave us an example of humility.

The Lord says in the Gospel: “Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, 'My friend, move up to a higher position.” With this parable, the Lord teaches us the value of choosing the last place, that is, of seeking to be small and hidden.

Speaking about this parable, Pope Francis said: “Jesus’ words emphasize completely different and opposing attitudes: the attitude of those who choose their own place and the attitude of those who allow God to assign it and await a reward from Him.” The Lord reminds us again today of the importance of always choosing the attitude of humility. When we humble ourselves before God, He exalts us. He reaches down to us to raise us up to Him.

In two weeks, we will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the canonization of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. Fifty years ago, Pope St. Paul VI began the homily of the canonization Mass by saying, “Yes, Venerable Brothers and beloved sons and daughters! Elizabeth Ann Seton is a Saint! She is the first daughter of the United States of America to be glorified with this incomparable attribute!”

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton embraced humility. In her position of authority as Mother Superior of her Religious Order, she sought to be small and hidden. She was always deeply connected to the needs of the children she served and to the sisters in the community.

As He did at the dinner with the Pharisees, the Lord also observes all our actions and attitudes in our lives. Like a skilled event coordinator, He coordinates the events of His disciples’ lives, as He also does for each of us. He gives us the best recommendations for living well in this life. The Saints are those who best listened to and followed the Lord’s recommendations. Let us seek his recommendations within Sacred Scripture, specifically the Gospel.

Let us humbly ask the Lord to grant us His grace to learn to be humble like Him.