Humility Pays
On a visit to the Beethoven Museum in Bonn, a young American student became fascinated by the piano on which Beethoven had composed some of his greatest works. She asked the museum guard if she could play a few bars on it; she accompanied the request with a lavish tip, and the guard agreed. The girl, then, tinkled out the opening of the Moolight Sonata. As she was leaving, she asked the guard, “I suppose all the great pianist who come here want to play on the piano.” The guard shook his head. “Padarewski, the famed Polish pianist, was here a few years ago and he said he wasn’t worthy to touch it.” Humility is the characteristic of great men. Someone said, “be humble or you’ll stumble.”
In today’s gospel, one of the lessons Jesus points out through his parable is on the necessity of humility. When invited on a wedding banquet, Jesus proposes, it would be advisable not to occupy the places of honor at the table; it may be reserved for a more distinguished guest. If, on the other hand, the host will invite a guest who was seated at the lowest place to come up higher, his humility has gained him honor and esteem from among his peers. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Indeed, it pays to be humble. Even when one embarks on a career in life, humility is helpful. Embracing humility helps ensure that people are inclined to build you up when you fail, not rave on your misfortune. By practicing humility one begins to earn the trust of people; one gains friends. People will perceive you as a person with depth because you are giving added value to the world and to the lives of others. Finally, the practice of humility will make you more grateful and appreciative. Indeed, with humility, you’re on the right track; you’ll never stumble.
Prayer: Lord, teach true humility that I may not be proud and never swerve from your path. Amen.
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