MANILA, Philippines?The story is told about two drivers who got out of their cars after colliding at a road junction. One of them got a hip flask from his pocket and offered this to the other: ?Here, have some whisky to calm your nerves.?

?Thanks,? the other driver gratefully accepted, and after taking a big gulp gave back the flask: ?Here, take some yourself.?

?No, I?d rather not. The police will be here soon,? said the first driver.

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In today?s Gospel (Lk. 14, 1.7-14) Jesus points out our human tendency to put ourselves ahead of others, and to put our personal interests above those of others. Jesus reminds us to learn to step down. There are greater persons around us, so we should be humble, and there are lesser persons around us, so we should be more considerate and compassionate.

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?What?s in it for me?? This seems to be the most natural reaction whenever we are called to go beyond our comfort zones. More often than not we always seek what is advantageous or beneficial for us. As it were, we always go for profit and a quick return of our investment.

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We may not often verbalize it, but we all have a natural disgust for people who are haughty and proud. We even perhaps avoid them or laugh at them behind their backs. On the other hand, we have respect and admiration for those who are humble and self-effacing.

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Do you know of people who are overly windy and loud? Don?t be turned off. For all you know these are people who need attention and affirmation deep inside. A lot of times, theirs is just a cover up for their insecurities and fears.

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I learned humility not by the words but by the life example of my parents. Papa didn?t have any enemies. He tried to live in peace with everyone, and he made sure that he did injustice to no one. Many at the Bureau of Customs where he worked for 23 years can attest that he was a good, honest and humble man. Now I?m getting proud! But in the right sense, i.e., to boast for the glory of God, and for the edification of others!

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Among the many good traits of Mama is her ability to just fade away. She is happy being anonymous and unrecognized. Even as a child, she was the most obedient to her own mother, and to her older brothers and sisters. Never did I ever hear her speak ill of any one of them.

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Are you an eagle or a maya bird? Somebody pointed out that an eagle soars high and alone in the sky while the maya flies low, but always with companions. By the way, how is your family? Someone once said that a good family is a family that is close to God, close to one another, and close to the people. And what is a bad family? Just add the letter ?D? to the word ?close,? and there is the picture of a bad family.

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Speaking of families, I know of one who used to throw lavish and exclusive parties and invite their friends in high society. It was more of to-see-and-be-seen sort of thing, done to impress others, and literally just to show off. Those parties were fun but shallow and empty, and expensive too. Are you still involved in this sort of thing? Read on.

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Touched by the Lord?s goodness, this family now spends their party money on orphanages and retirements homes. Even our Filipino missionaries overseas have become beneficiaries of their generosity. On top of that, they have invited their former party mates to get involved in their apostolate as well. I have never seen them happier. I look at their faces and I can see meaning and fulfillment all over. They have literally opened their gates, and brought their parties to the streets. Praise God!

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We priests are busy people. We have our duties, concerns, projects and all sorts of deadlines too. It is so heartwarming when an equally busy priest literally goes out of his way and make time to support a fellow priest. I experienced this from my SVD confreres in Riverside, California in the persons of Fr. Provincial Briccio Tamoro, Fr. Joe Goopio, Fr. Pons Ramos, Fr. Jimmy Aguilar and Fr. Herman Manuel. I also would like to thank Fr. Gem Bandivas who took off from his busy ministry to support me and my ministry for overseas Filipino missionaries. Thank you brother priests!

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Going out of our way for others is, and should be, a joy. The Lord constantly invites us and calls us out of our comfort zones to reach out and get involved. The Lord invites us to take the road of humility and love. That is the road less traveled, but it is the road that leads to true freedom, joy and fulfillment.

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Soon it will be September, and Christmas will not be far behind. This early, start setting aside some amount for the poor and the needy. And start cleaning and clearing your cabinets of stuff which can be used by others instead of them just gathering dust and moss. When you do this you realize that very little is really needed in this life, and how liberating it is when we are set free from our selfishness and pride.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help me to learn how to step down. Amen.