"Kung Pilion Mo Ang Pulungkuan Nga Para Sa Ordinaryo Nga Mga Tawo...Mapadunggan Ka Pa Sa Atubangan Sang Tanan"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 14:1,7-11)

Isa sadto ka Adlaw nga Inugpahuway, gin-imbitar si Jesus sang isa ka manugdumala sang mga Pariseo nga magkaon sa iya balay. Pag-abot ni Jesus didto, ginbantayan siya sang mga tawo nga nagakontra sa iya kon bala lapason niya ang Kasuguan.

Napanilagan ni Jesus nga ang mga tawo nga ginpang-imbitar nagapili sang mga pulungkuan nga para sa dungganon nga mga tawo. Gani ginlaygayan niya sila,

"Kon imbitaron ka sa punsyon sang kasal, indi mo pagpilion ang pulungkuan nga para sa dungganon nga mga tawo. Kay basi may gin-imbitar nga mas dungganon pa gid sang sa imo.

Kag ang nag-imbitar sa inyo nga duha magapalapit sa imo kag magsiling, 'Abi halin ka anay dira, kay napreparar na ini nga pulungkuan sa sini nga tawo.' Ti mahuy-an ka kag mapungko ka na lang sa pulungkuan nga para sa ordinaryo nga mga tawo.

Pero kon imbitaron ka, pilion mo ang pulungkuan nga para sa ordinaryo nga mga tawo, agod sa pag-abot sang nag-imbitar sa imo palapitan ka niya kag papungkuon sa pulungkuan nga para sa dungganon nga mga tawo. Kundi mapadunggan ka pa sa atubangan sang tanan nga ginpang-imbitar.

Kay ang bisan sin-o nga nagapataas sang iya kaugalingon paubuson, kag ang nagapaubos sang iya kaugalingon pataason."

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Meditation:  

Who wants to be last? Isn't it only natural to desire respect and esteem from others? Jesus' parable of the guests invited to the marriage feast probes our motives for seeking honor and position. Self-promotion is most often achieved at the expense of others! Jesus' parable reinforces the teaching of Proverbs: Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great; for it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of the prince (Proverbs 25:6-7).

What is true humility and why should we make it a characteristic mark of our life and action? True humility is not feeling bad about yourself, or having a low opinion of yourself, or thinking of yourself as inferior to others. True humility frees us from preoccupation with ourselves, whereas a low self-opinion tends to focus our attention on ourselves. Humility is truth in self-understanding and truth in action. Viewing ourselves truthfully, with sober judgment, means seeing ourselves the way God sees us (Psalm 139:1-4). A humble person makes a realistic assessment of himself or herself without illusion or pretense to be something he or she is not. The humble regard themselves neither smaller nor larger than they truly are. True humility frees us to be our true selves and to avoid despair and pride. A humble person does not have to wear a mask or put on a facade in order to look good to others, especially to those who are not really familiar with that person. The humble are not swayed by accidentals, such as fame, reputation, success, or failure. 

Humility is the queen or foundation of all the other virtues because it enables us to view and judge ourselves correctly, the way God sees us. Humility leads to true self-knowledge, honesty, realism, strength, and dedication to give ourselves to something greater than ourselves. Humility frees us to love and serve others selflessly, for their sake, rather than our own. Paul the Apostles, gives us the  greatest example and model of humility in the person of Jesus Christ, who emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, ...who humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:7-8). The Lord Jesus gives grace to those who seek him humbly. Do you want to be a servant as Jesus served? 

"Lord Jesus, you became a servant for my sake to set me free from the tyranny of sin, selfishness, and conceit. Help me to be humble as you are humble and to love freely and graciously all whom you call me to serve."