Crossing Invincible Lines: 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Throughout history, there has been a class of people who seem to be superior to others because of status and wealth. Often, there are some who go out of their way to help others.

In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus has dinner with a high Pharisee. During dinner, Jesus offers lessons in humility and charity.

With the virtue of humility, we learn to decrease, just as St. John the Baptist referred to God. Christ recognizes the gifts of the invitation, companionship, and the meal. C.S. Lewis reminds us, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less." We learn to put others ahead of our self-interest.

With the virtue of charity, he learns to help those in need with his time and treasure, with nothing expected in return. In turn, Christ invites to cross invincible lines with love.

Recently, America has mourned the loss of Judge Frank Caprio, who spent three decades as a judge in Providence, RI. Caprio became an internet sensation not for a TikTok trend, an amazing stunt to garner views, but he showed compassion and kindness to every person who stood before him.

One quote from the late judge was our purpose in life, and it is, “to help people, and if we don’t help them, we diminish ourselves.”

The late judge, despite his occupation and how society perceives him, shows us that a little compassion, even in a courtroom, can go a long way.

What Christ is teaching us is that we must be meek and loving to everyone who is around us. Each person that we encounter is Christ, and that person deserves our love and compassion.

As we navigate the 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, let us be sure to conduct our “affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.”

Stay humble and Be Charitable