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 Sunday 22 C, 28 August 2022 – by DJC – Luke 14: 1, 7-14
St Luke tells us of three occasions when Jesus was invited to dine at the house of a Pharisee. In the first Simon the Pharisee’s reception of Jesus is so lacking in generosity and warmth that he does not even give Jesus water to wash his feet, greet him with a kiss or anoint him with oil - in contrast to the “gate crasher”, that St Therese of Lisieux loved so much, the sinful woman who showers Jesus’ feet with tears and kisses. She loves much because she has been forgiven much.
Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, Sunday 29B, 17 October 2021: Mark 10:35-45
As Jesus made his way to Jerusalem, and to his Passion and death, the Apostles James and John put to him a request. In doing so they put us all forever in their debt. Thank God for this instance of tactlessness and stupidity! Their ambitious striving for the top places in the coming Kingdom evoked from Jesus a response that gives us a privileged insight into into his own mind, into the Christian life; into God’s plan of salvation.