Feelings of Fear and Awe: Reflections on the Readings for the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
Psalm 68
Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a
Luke 14:1, 7-14

St. John Henry Newman said, “Are these feelings of fear and awe Christian feelings or not? ... They are the class of feelings we should have – yes, have to an intense degree – if we literally had the sight of Almighty God; therefore they are the class of feelings which we shall have, if we realize His presence. ... and not to have them, is not to realize, not to believe that He is present.” (quoted in CCC 2144) Fear of the Lord is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (CCC 1831). As indicated by St. John Henry Newman, this can also be described as holy fear in the presence of God. It is also a form of humility, which is central to this weekend’s readings.

The book of Sirach, from which the first reading is taken, may not be familiar to all Christians as it was not part of the canon of Scripture that Martin Luther adopted. Thus, while it is in Catholic Bibles, many Protestant Bibles did not include it unless they had a section called the Apocrypha. It is considered one of the five Wisdom books of Solomon and, in the words of Fr. Mike Schmitz (of Bible in a Year podcast fame), is like Proverbs on steroids.

This selection from Sirach gets right to the issue of humility, the opposite of pride, which Jesus will also address in today’s gospel reading. And for those in positions of power and wealth, it is very pointed, “Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.” Many sages over the centuries have spoken about humility, from Proverbs (Solomon’s time) to modern times. And as Job learned, “God has to keep reminding us of the two most obvious truths in the world: that we are not Him, and that He is not us.” (Dr. Peter Kreeft, Food for the Soul, Cycle C) There are even some in Hollywood who recognize the dangers of pride, “At your highest moment be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you.” (Denzel Washington).

Some of the omitted lines in this selection also deal with pride and stubbornness, at one point declaring that the proud “are offshoots of an evil plant.” The selection closes with an encouraging statement, “alms atone for sins.” Recognizing that others need our help and providing it is humbling ourselves before God because we are being obedient to His Word.

The responsorial psalm picks up on the theme of alms in its declaration of concern for the poor and needy. Article 2462 of the Catechism states, “Giving alms to the poor is a witness to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.” It is also included in the Corporal Works of Mercy (CCC 2447).

The responsorial psalm is also a reminder that trust in the Lord, “The father of orphans and the defender of widows,” has its rewards. They are members of His flock, and therefore also our relations, and He will provide for them as we should also as He works through us. In His goodness, He has “made a home for the poor.”

The selection from the letter to the Hebrews begins by referring to Exodus when God’s voice thundered on the mountain when giving the Ten Commandments to Moses. The Israelites experienced holy fear in the presence of God “such that those who heard
begged that no message be further addressed to them.” But then the author tells the Hebrews not to look back in fear but to look ahead to the New Jerusalem, “the city of the living God,” which is due to “Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant.”

The festal gathering to which this passage refers is “The celestial liturgy of heaven, where angels and saints are gathered to worship God and to celebrate the redeeming work of Christ.” (The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible) See the book of Revelation for additional descriptions of this heavenly liturgy.

The gospel selection continues the theme of humility. Jesus is dining at the home of one of the leading pharisees and notices how many of the attendees were picking places of honor as they came in. He tells them what is described as a parable but in truth is an important piece of wisdom. Rather than pick a place of honor right off the bat, choose a more humble position at the table. In doing so you can avoid the embarrassment of being moved to a lower position when someone of higher stature shows up. Also, the host is more likely to tell you to move up to a higher position. “Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” In a similar way, the humble will be exalted in Heaven.

But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He reiterates His constant call to care for others. As with the responsorial psalm and the call to alms in the first reading, Jesus tells His listeners not to invite people to a banquet who might feel obliged and might be capable of paying you back. That is not generosity to one’s neighbor; it’s tit for tat or quid pro quo. Inviting “the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;” those who cannot pay you back is a corporal work of mercy, as noted above, and puts value in the credit column of your spreadsheet in Heaven.

Recall Matthew 25:31-46 where Jesus explains the Judgment of the Nations. Works of mercy will be rewarded while failing to help those in need will have its consequences. “‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Here the “resurrection of the righteous” refers to the general resurrection at the end of time. We see here again a continuation of Jesus oft stated theme (and those of recent Mass readings) to store up treasures in heaven rather than those on earth. A reminder that “you can’t take it with you” as we read a few weeks ago (18thSunday in Ordinary Time) where the theme was “though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” (Luke 12:15) And in the gospel reading for the 19th Sunday, “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” (Luke 12:34)

FROM THE COMPENDIUM OF THE CATECHISM

The seven corporal works of mercy:

1. Feed the hungry.
2. Give drink to the thirsty.
3. Clothe the naked.
4. Shelter the homeless.
5. Visit the sick.
6. Visit the imprisoned.
7. Bury the dead.

The seven spiritual works of mercy:

1. Counsel the doubtful.
2. Instruct the ignorant.
3. Admonish sinners.
4. Comfort the afflicted.
5. Forgive offenses.
6. Bear wrongs patiently.
7. Pray for the living and the dead.