Daily Reflection – 3/15/2022
Sacred Scripture
Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens (hard to carry) and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”( Matthew 23:1-12)
Reflection
They say that with age comes wisdom. I am not so sure about that. But I do believe that age brings one a wealth of experiences and a multitude of experiences with people – from the humble to the vainly proud.
As I think back on my ministry, I can’t help but be saddened by the realization that the world truly has become a stage. Too many have decided that they should mount the stage and play out their version of what is good, of what is prized and of what they want the world to think of them. Too often their reality becomes their life. And so we wind up with more disingenuous people than humble people who simply try to follow the will of God.
That is the heart of today’s Gospel when Jesus rebukes the Pharisees and reminds them of what being exalted before God is truly about. He wants us to be exalted! He wants our light of goodness to shine for all to see and for that light to make a difference. But He wants it done in truth, not by presenting a false persona. He wants the real “me” to shine forth. And that only comes through humility.
Humility is true self-knowledge — regarding oneself as God see each of us. The humble do not trust in themselves, but trust in God and in the power of his love and saving grace. Humility enables us to be comfortable with our good qualities as well as our failures. Humility is about being honest and true about our lives and being comfortable with that person.
Humility is sincerity and genuineness. And when people see this quality in us, they are impressed.
And how do we become humble. It begins with recognizing that we are children of God. Children that Our Father so loved that he sent His son to die on the cross so that we could be with Him forever. As children, all that we are comes from Him and all that we can be is a gift from Him. Recognizing the “otherness” of our creation, recognizing that we were created to emulate Him in our daily life is both sobering and uplifting
Reflect, today, on how genuine you are. Pray that God will help you strip away every false image of yourself so that the true you can shine forth. Humble yourself in this way and God will take you and exalt you in His way so that your heart can be seen and loved by those around you.
Prayer of The Day
“Lord, teach me your way of servanthood and humility that I may walk in love as you have loved. Fill me with the joy of servanthood that I may inspire others to walk in your way of happiness and holiness.”
Daily Note
What is true Christ-like humility? True humility is a servant-like quality which enables one to place his or her life at the service of God and others. Do you know the joy of Christ-like humility and simplicity of heart?
