Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

“do not sit down in a place of honour”

Jesus observed how people jockey for the best seats and advises against it, suggesting that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted.

This teaching highlights the dangers of pride and the blessedness of humility, emphasizing that true honour comes from God, not from self-promotion.

Thanks to being identified as a BF, a Bloody Foreigner, soon after my arrival in London in 1946,  my childish pride took a  hard knock. This accolade shaped my low self- esteem, fertile ground for humility. As they say, 'out of well composted manure, lovely flowers may grow.' The negative can, used wisely, be turned into a positive.

Disgrace turned to grace as my humility was given new life and, instead of walking around with my head in the clouds, my feet remained firmly grounded. To achieve anything, I had to work hard. At Clapham College I became Head Boy and soon after started at Imperial College.

Ordained on 31st August 1969, today I celebrate my 56 years of priesthood.

Thanks to this job, life has taught me that being there for others – serving their needs – is the most delightful way through life.

Rather than using the rather grand title, ‘Professor Monsignor’, I am ‘father Vlad’.

Humility, call it realism,  has enriched me by enabling me to become an honorary  member of half a dozen families – and having a long list of friends and allies-in-life.  A number of these are here every Sunday. So, I thank God for you.