The homage of the humble
22nd Sunday C
Cobh
31 August 2025
My friends,
Arguably the most influential lay spiritual movement in modern times has been AA – the Alcoholic Anonymous organisation. We know it is non-denominational; it welcomes all. Its impact on individuals is enormous and through individual recovery comes so much renewal in families and friendship.
The vice like grip of addiction is beyond many individuals to overpower and for that very reason an anchor spiritual principle is the importance of accepting and valuing ones Higher Power. On that foundation a whole programme of renewal, rebuilding and maintenance rests.
The acceptance of one’s High Power – whoever and whatever one conceives it to be is only possible by way of being humble of heart – the theme that’s the focus of our readings today. Today’s words from the Book of Ecclesiastes speaks of the Lord’s acceptance of “the homage of the humble.”
The homage of the humble heart is profound and sincere. It is accepting of gifts and blessings in life but also conscious of limitations and failure too. Such humility frees a pathway within us that offers no resistance to the grace we need in life.
Today, the Irish Bishops Conference announces an invitation to parishes to reflect on “Why Sunday Matters.” It is a simple outline on the different dimensions of our Sunday Mass and how essential it is personally and as a community of Christian faith. All this you know were through your fidelity here in prayer. In that sense it’s a message to help all of us who cherish and appreciate the importance of regular personal prayer and practice. Our task is to extend a conversation into our families about the place of prayer in our families especially in the lives of the children.
To place our trust in God and others takes humility of spirit. In an age of individualism like ours, we need to be humble to place our trust in God as a higher power and to accept our need for one another on life’s path.
So, “Why Sunday Matters?” as a reflection is an important/vital opportunity for parishes, schools and families to pause and ask some deeper questions about the forces good and bad that are shaping our lives or indeed may be dictating our lives.
“Why Sunday matters” in that sense is less about having more people at Mass but more about asking people to think why they choose not to gather at all. It takes a humble and contrite heart to think again about our choices in life.
May we all be blessed with that spirit of humility because the Lord always accepts the “homage of the humble.”
