Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop | Diocese of Honolulu

On August 31, 2025, the Bishop of the Diocese of Honolulu delivered a homily for the Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time. In his message, he reflected on humility and reconciliation in personal relationships and community life.

The Bishop began by comparing two types of humiliation: being moved to a lower place at a banquet versus having one's faults publicly revealed. He stated, "I think I would personally choose the banquet scene, because the other choice could be much more humiliating. But what if we freely admitted to someone that we had committed some mistake or indiscretion, and even ask forgiveness for it? Yes, it would be humiliating, but also very freeing, not only for the person we offended but for us as well."

He emphasized the importance of marriage and family as foundational elements of society. He described how small offenses within families can go unnoticed but still cause harm. Using an example from daily life, he said that a parent's harsh words to a child can create negative feelings. However, if the parent apologizes—"I’m sorry I spoke that way to you"—it can lead to healing and cooperation within the family. "It is humiliating for the parent to do this," he noted, "but, as Jesus says, those who humble themselves will be exalted."

The Bishop extended this idea to married couples who repeatedly argue over similar issues. He suggested that acknowledging fault and asking forgiveness can open doors to dialogue and repair relationships: "Honey, I am sorry for arguing with you about this all the time. Please forgive me." He added that humility in these situations may reveal that disagreements are less significant than they seem.

Addressing broader social conflicts, he encouraged seeking understanding rather than insisting on being right: "Perhaps I just don’t understand what you are thinking, and I would respectfully like to ask you what your true opinion is on that topic." According to him, such humility might reduce tensions and foster real understanding between people with differing views.

He also spoke about the sacrament of Penance as an act of humility before God: "No one enjoys telling another person that he or she has sinned and is sorry for that sin. It is humiliating to do this. Yet if we do confess sincerely, it can be the most liberating experience we can imagine. God will exalt us despite the humiliating sin we have committed."

Concluding his homily, he urged shifting focus from self-interest toward helping others grow in faith and love: "If we only reach out to those with whom we get along... Jesus urges us to invite those we might prefer not to be present... It opens our hearts to be like God’s heart." The Bishop said God's willingness to reconcile even those who do not deserve it should inspire similar attitudes among believers.