Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop | Diocese of Honolulu

During a homily for the Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time, a bishop from the Diocese of Honolulu addressed themes of humility and selflessness in relationships and community life. He shared a personal anecdote about living with other priests, highlighting how one priest avoided sitting at the head of the table to appear humble, even if it caused inconvenience. The bishop commented, “This was a man who was very proud of his humility!” He connected this behavior to lessons from Jesus in the Gospel, cautioning against exalting oneself.

The homily also explored challenges in marriage when spouses focus on their own needs instead of each other's. Recounting a story, the bishop described a husband who considered divorce due to ongoing conflict but experienced positive change after following advice to prioritize his wife's wishes for a week. “Father, it was an amazing week! We felt like we were on a second honeymoon! I thought what you were asking me to do was impossible, but I figured I could manage anything for a week. The change in our relationship is amazing!” said the man according to the bishop. The priest explained that shifting from “What’s in it for me?” to “How can I please my spouse?” led to unexpected grace.

The bishop further addressed family disputes and broader conflicts between groups or nations, suggesting that reconciliation often requires humility: “If one humbles oneself to apologize, or to simply listen carefully to another person’s perspective, then there is hope of reconciliation and restoration of true love among family members.”

As part of the service, Baptism was celebrated. The bishop reflected on its significance: “God humbles himself by allowing mere creatures who are soaked in original sin to be soaked instead in his holy name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” He noted that through Baptism, individuals experience God’s humility and are called to share God’s love with others rather than keep it for themselves.

He concluded by emphasizing gratitude and service: “It is not a cause for our own pride, but for our humbly acknowledging that all we have and all we accomplish is a gift from God.” The congregation was reminded that receiving grace should lead them to serve those in need.