Asymmetric Religion and Philosophy

My mind wanders a little during Church sometimes...OK, it often wanders, but after a meandering around the church, it usually arrives at the missalette. A couple of weeks ago, it settled upon the mass readings for September 2, 2007.

Now, it's my theory that no personal behavior demanded by God is bad for you (correct me) and that his exhortations are good for people of all faiths or no faith even. The passages in question, Luke 14 and Sirach 3, are amongst those that intersect religious devotion and just plain good advice. They read like something from a secular self-help book or maybe a book on manners. I won't insult you by explaining it, but it's a good way to live one's life, it seems. Also notice that God acknowledges distinctions between men on Earth but says that in Heaven everyone will be "exalted:"

Follow up:

Sirach Chapter 3:

17
My son, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.

18
Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.

20
What is too sublime for you, seek not, into things beyond your strength search not.

28
The mind of a sage appreciates proverbs, and an attentive ear is the wise man's joy.

29
Water quenches a flaming fire, and alms atone for sins.

Luke Chapter 14:

1
On a sabbath he went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.

7
He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.

8
"When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor.
A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,

9
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, 'Give your place to this man,' and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.

10
Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, 'My friend, move up to a higher position.' Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.

11
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

12
Then he said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.

13
Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;

14
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."