The Pope’s sermon was on Jesus dining at the home of a leading Pharisee, to highlight the enduring lessons of humility, openness, and genuine human connection.
Newsroom (02/09/2025, Gaudium Press )Pope Leo XIV called on the Catholic Church to serve as “a school of humility” and “a home where all are welcome,” urging believers to set aside rivalries and embrace the example of Jesus’ humility. Speaking to a diverse gathering of pilgrims and visitors on September 2, 2025, the pontiff drew inspiration from the day’s Gospel reading from Luke, which recounts Jesus dining at the home of a leading Pharisee, to highlight the enduring lessons of humility, openness, and genuine human connection.
The Gospel passage, Pope Leo explained, underscores the cultural and spiritual significance of sharing a meal, a universal act symbolizing peace, communion, and encounter. “In every culture, sitting at table together can be a sign of sharing and unity,” he said, noting that such moments offer opportunities for authentic relationships. However, he acknowledged that true encounter is not always effortless. In the Gospel, Jesus was scrutinized with suspicion by some of the more rigid interpreters of tradition at the Pharisee’s home. Rather than retreating, Jesus attended the meal with humility, respect, and sincerity, seizing the moment to offer a teaching through a parable.
The parable, as recounted by Pope Leo, describes guests at a banquet rushing to claim places of honor, driven by a desire to “be noticed” and assert their importance. This competitive spirit, the Pope observed, contrasts sharply with the humility Jesus modeled. “Jesus teaches us to look beyond ourselves,” he said, encouraging believers to reflect on their own behavior when gathering, particularly at the Eucharistic table. There, he noted, Jesus “becomes our guest and can tell us how he sees us,” offering a lens through which to examine tendencies toward rivalry, recognition-seeking, or comparison with others.
Pope Leo emphasized that humility is not merely a virtue but a pathway to true freedom. “Humility is really freedom from ourselves,” he said, explaining that it liberates individuals from self-centeredness and redirects their focus to “the Kingdom of God and its righteousness.” By embracing humility, believers can recognize their “sublime dignity” as God’s children, a reality often obscured by the pursuit of personal acclaim. The Pope urged the faithful to see themselves through God’s eyes, valuing their inherent worth over fleeting social hierarchies.
Reflecting on the broader mission of the Church, Pope Leo envisioned it as a place of radical welcome and learning, where rivalries are set aside, and all are invited to grow in humility. “The Church must be a school where we learn to imitate Jesus’ humility and a home where everyone feels embraced,” he said, invoking the image of a community united in fraternity rather than divided by competition. He called on Catholics to foster a “culture of encounter,” where differences are bridged through mutual respect and shared faith.
Before leading the recitation of the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo invoked Mary, the “Mother of that home,” as a guide for the Church’s mission. His message resonated as a clarion call for a Church that not only preaches humility but lives it, creating spaces where all are welcomed and where Jesus’ teachings continue to inspire transformation. As the crowd dispersed, the Pope’s words lingered, challenging believers to embody humility in their daily lives and to build a Church that reflects the inclusive, liberating spirit of the Gospel.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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