Today’s Inspirational Snippet:“Humility is not just about self-mistrust but about the entrusting of ourselves to God. Distrusting ourselves and our own strength produces trust in God and from that trust generosity of soul is born. There is something in humility which strangely exalts the heart. You cannot attain to charity except through humility. ”
Reflection for Saturday 30th Week of Ordinary Time. Year C, Cycle II. October 29, 2022
Today’s Readings:
Philippians 1:18-26
Psalm 42:2-3, 5
Luke 14:1, 7-11
Today’s Rosary: The Joyful Mysteries
Today’s Saint Quote:“I have lived for Christ; I want to die for Christ.” – Blessed Restituta Kafka
THE VIRTUE OF HUMILITY
Today, we are reminded of the need for all of us as Christians to put the Lord our God at the centre and as the focus of our lives and existences. Each and every one of us are reminded that pride and ego will lead us nowhere, and we may end up falling into the wrong paths that lead us to damnation and eternity of suffering. The Lord wants us to always be vigilant against the temptations of pride and worldly desires, which can be a great bane and obstacle for us in our path towards Him and His grace and salvation.
In the First reading, St. Paul tells the Philippians that life is Christ and death is gain. The Responsorial Psalm infers that life is fulfilled in searching for, and being satisfied by, the Living God. In the Gospel, Jesus remarks that those who humble themselves will experience the fullness of life.
Jesus shows them how they should accept the reality of life that regardless of how high is their social status, there may be someone of higher position than them. So, it is less embarrassing to affirm this reality than to be publicly humiliated. Jesus is urging the Pharisees to be humble in their daily living. The quality of humility opens us to the graces of developing a more personal relationship with the Lord. Pride on the other hand, discounts our need for God.
Humility in today’s scripture readings is spelt out in terms of selflessness. A truly humble person is selfless in his relationship to God and to others. He is not focused on himself but on glorifying God and loving his brothers and sisters. A humble person does not focus on his position, his prestige and his privileges. He is at ease with everyone and he is happy wherever he is. He does not seek places of honor, praises and recognition. Our Blessed Mother Mary is truly the icon of humility.
True humility frees us to love and serve selflessly for the good of others. Humility is the queen or foundation of all the other virtues because it enables us to view and judge ourselves correctly, the way God sees us. Humility leads to true self-knowledge, honesty, realism, strength, and dedication to give ourselves to something greater than ourselves. Humility frees us to love and serve others selflessly, for their sake, rather than our own.
Selflessness is not only with respect to the way we view ourselves but also seen in the way we serve the Lord. The only concern of St Paul was that the gospel was preached regardless who was the instrument of the Good News. St. Paul was singular-minded in his passion for Christ and the gospel. We all want to be successful in life but we lack focus and singularity of purpose. Without conviction, no one is going to sacrifice their time, energy and their life for anything.
What mattered to St Paul was that Christ was proclaimed in every way, regardless of situations. In life or death, St Paul wanted to serve the Lord and was intent on making Him known and loved. How many of us are unconditional in our love for our spouse, parents and children? What is significant is that St Paul recognized that many of us who serve Him might not have sincere or pure motives. We are motivated by praise, recognition and appreciation.
How, then, can we purify our motives? Only love can purify our motives and make us do everything for the one we love. When love of Christ and the spread of the gospel is our motive, then we will not spend too much time squabbling over positions in the Church, over the right rubrics and the application of the laws.
Sisters and brothers, let us all open our hearts and minds to welcome the Lord, His wisdom and truth into our hearts, and let us all allow Him to mould us into whatever tools and means by which He may exercise His will and judgment, His works and efforts in our world today. Let us all allow the Lord to guide us in our path and in our journey so that we may ever be inspired to commit our whole lives to His service, and to do whatever it is that is worthy of Him and the glory of His Name.
Let each and every one of us, resolve to “take the lowest place” the next time we have the opportunity, even if we go unnoticed ourselves.
PRAY FOR THE CANONIZATION OF BLESSED MICHAEL TANSI, MICHAEL J. MCGIVNEY & NNADI MICHAEL
OCTOBER DEVOTION: PRAY THE ROSARY & LITANY – THIS IS THE MOST POWERFUL SPIRITUAL WEAPON AGAINST EVIL FORCES.
Have you ever considered Total Consecration of yourself to Blessed Virgin Mary, grow your Spirituality?
PRAYER
-Lord Jesus, you became a servant for my sake to set me free from the tyranny of sin, selfishness, and conceit. Help me to be humble as you are humble and to love freely and graciously all whom you call me to serve.
GROW AS A DISCIPLE Of JESUS; EVANGELIZE; LET THE POWER & GRACE THAT ACCOMPANY THE SHARING & PROPAGATION OF GOOD NEWS TOUCH & TRANSFORM ME THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN.
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