Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted (Lk 14:11 & 18:14). St. Benedict quotes this sentence at the beginning of his Chapter 7 on Humility. It’s a centrally important teaching for the monastic life, and for the Christian life…
Homily for the 27th Sunday Year C: Luke 17:5-10; DJC
The Gospel today begins immediately with an urgent request from the apostles to Jesus: Increase our faith! (Luke 17:5) It is their response to Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness, which is not included in today’s passage: that we are to rebuke our neighbour if they sin against us and forgive our neighbour as many times as they sincerely ask our forgiveness - literally “seven” times, which in the Jewish terms of the day meant without limit.