“He Must Increase as We Decrease”
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
August 31 – September 1, 2019
Scripture: Luke 14:1, 7-14
Once, Saint Francis had to share a room with a Franciscan priest who suffered from asthma. The priest spent the night coughing and spitting, so Francis got very little sleep. The next day, the priest asked Francis for forgiveness, but Francis told him there was nothing to forgive and that he could think of no better face to spit upon than his. Francis shared in the affliction of his Franciscan brother.
In today’s scripture, Christ says when invited to dinner we are not to worry about the place setting or our place at the table. In fact, He said we should be humble and take the lowest place. It’s a free dinner, so just say “thank you.” Saint John the Baptist said: “He must increase and we must decrease.” Saint Therese said when we are small, we are safe. Being small is a virtue of humility which allows us to see ourselves as He sees us.
There are three ways in which we are seen:
1) As we think we are
2) As other people think we are; and
3) As God sees us. This is what we should strive for.
Our talents are gifts that come from Him, and we should be grateful for the blessings He has given us. But, all the titles we have are meaningless unless we use them to advance the Kingdom of God. They were not given to us because we are special. They were given to us for a purpose…to serve others. And, when we see God, He will ask us what we did with the gifts He gave us. Besides, titles are transitory and there is no promotion beyond sainthood.
In whatever place He puts us, we are to bring His love to others…to be a witness for Christ. Sometimes, I tell my classmates what I do at the VA Hospital, and it grosses them out. They say they could never do that. Once, I was on a Hospice call and gave the patient last rites. After the patient died, I helped the nurses place her body in a bag and clean the room. There is no job too small or disgusting for a child of God. You do whatever you are called to do. That’s why the nurses call me to see patients who are close to death. I ask the family if they would like me to say prayers for the departing soul, and if they say they aren’t Catholic, I tell them that’s okay…God wasn’t either. We are all children of God.
We don’t know how many angels have come into our lives. We also never know who our teachers may be. Take me for example. It took an Act of Congress to make me an officer and a gentleman. That alone is reason enough to mistrust politicians! Once, while I was in seminary, a kindly old priest approached me and said “hello Father.” I told the priest that I was still a seminarian. Soon, the priest’s aid came up to us and said “Bishop, it’s time to go.” Bishop Flanagan had the heart of a priest and was humble.
Recently, during my meditation, I thought about our parish. You have helped me bear my crosses for the past 15 years. When we are humble, we are able to bear our crosses with grace instead of complaining bitterly. We can be happy with today’s crosses with the knowledge that tomorrow’s may be much heavier.
How will you apply this message to your life? Will you use the talents and skills that God gave you to help others and to advance His Kingdom?