Who doesn’t want the praise and respect of others. We want people to see us at our best with all of our strengths and accomplishments, rather than with all of our faults and shortcomings. Yet God sees us as we truly are, sinners who are always in need of his mercy.
The prophet Isaiah warned both the rulers and people of Sodom and Gomorrah to humbly listen and submit to God’s teaching so they could learn to do good and cease doing evil. Jesus warned the Scribes and Pharisees to teach and serve with humility and sincerity rather than with pride and self gratification. In their misguided zeal for religion, they sought recognition and honor for themselves rather than for God. They made the practice of their faith a burden for their people rather than a joy .
True humility then is not feeling bad about ourselves or having a low opinion of one’s self. True humility rather frees us from preoccupation with ourselves. Humility is seeing ourselves honestly, the way God sees us. A humble person makes a realistic assessment of oneself without illusion or pretense of something one is not. Humility helps us to be teachable so we can grow in God’s wisdom and grace. Humility frees us to love and serve others willingly and selflessly, for their sake, rather than our own.
For Lent ask yourself; do I know the joy of Christ-like humility and simplicity of heart ?
St.Joseph, pray for us !
DeColores, Deacon Doug
