Sermon – 11-05-23 – Proper 26 – St. Dan – Cycle A
Scriptures: Micah 3:5-12, Psalm 43:1-5, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12
Sermon Title: “O Lord, It’s Hard To Be Humble”

Ray says, “Isn’t my new car great! Look at it. It has the new-car smell. Can’t beat that shine! It was the most expensive car in the lot – the BMW dealer! Ray wonders why his friend Joe walks away after muttering a few nice words about the car. I wonder how Ray feels when he suddenly comes upon newly laid gravel coated with black tar which bounces right up on this new white car.

Nellie leaves the pricey beauty salon with an elegant hair style. Is it my imagination that Nellie’s nose seems to be breathing higher air? Nellie wonders why her long-time friend, Jean, just says “O-o-o-o-o and says, “I have clothes in the dryer. See you later.” I wonder how Nellie;s hair-do is going to look in the morning. Even if it survives a restless night, it is raining as she leaves for a wedding.

Troy is bragging about the beautiful girl who accepted his invitation to go to a movie. He is feeling on top of the world until the next evening he sees her getting into the car of a handsome fellow – not only handsome but a great football player.

John is telling multiple people how good his health is. He is even doing fitness training despite his placement in the 8th decade of his life. Only weeks later he is experiencing all kinds of health problems. Have we been there?

Proud momentarily. Humble soon thereafter.

From our Matthew passage, “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Being exalted in heaven will be nice. To avoid the deep, deep valley of shame after pride, my goal is to seek to stay on an even keel – just enough pride to be content with myself, just enough humble to be serving God the way God planned for me to be. Amen