Sermon for the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity, 2025

Pride is always looking closely to measure itself against all others. That’s what the Pharisees did at this meal; they watched Jesus closely to see what He might do, what law He might break so they would finally have charges against Him and have a valid reason to put Him away—put Him to death. All because of their pride. Because of their pride, they hated Him. They hated Him because they knew the words He spoke and the things He taught were true and right, and they were false and wrong. They hated Him because He had the audacity to tell them they were no better than those whom they judged to be sinners. They hated Jesus so much that they were speechless even after He healed a suffering fellow human being. Their silence was a sign of their tacit disapproval and rejection of Jesus, His message, and His Kingdom. 

Now, it’s easy to regard these lawyers and Pharisees, to wag your finger at them, click your tongue at them, and wonder at their ignorance. And it’s just as easy, perhaps even more so, to wonder at Adam and Eve. Yet beware! For such wonder is nothing less than the same sinful pride that consumed them. Why do you think that you are any better than they were? What is it about your humility that makes you more acceptable to God than they were? How is it that you are oh so humble? Be careful in your answer, and remember: as soon as you think you are humble, you have fallen into the sin of pride. Nothing is more hypocritical than wearing the mask of humility. Think about it: no one who believes himself to be humble is truly humble. 

Therefore, take heed lest you fall!

Readings:

• Old Testament: Proverbs 25:6-14

• Epistle: Ephesians 4:1-6

• Holy Gospel: Luke 14:1-11

Sermon: