Gospel Reading of the Day
From the holy Gospel according to
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| HE HUMBLED HIMSELF OBEDIENTLY ACCEPTING DEATH ON THE CROSS. [Philipians 2:8] Image from catholicfire.blogspot.com |
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
"The scribes and the Pharisees have taken 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 won't lift a finger to carry 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 the 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 Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted."
The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
Personal Reflection on the Reading
Sharing for the Day
As we said yesterday regarding judging, the Blessed Virgin Mary or the Saints would never have judged anyone while they were still living on earth because they fully know that it only belongs to God to judge anyone. We also stated that judging or condemning others would somehow make an impression that we are better or greater than the person we judge or condemn when in fact only God could truly confirm any person's worthiness of greatness. We are all called to be humble. This is part and parcel of the Lord's requirement of His followers about denying one's self.
The person who denies himself or herself surely would not have any pride in him or her. He or she would never ever think of himself or herself even one millimeter higher than another using any standard. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, we must consider others as better than ourselves [see Philippians 2:3 which a few verses onward would lead to the Carmen Christi, which is about kenosis or the self-emptying of the Lord Jesus Christ]. Any thought or inkling of being better than another would surely diminish the worthiness of being the Lord's friend and follower. Humility is something that a Christian cannot not have; as pride is something that a Christian should never ever try to acquire.
A Christian won't ever put himself or herself in front or on top of another in terms of getting privileges, appreciation or recognition, or of being seen performing good and holy deeds for the sake of being praised or honored. that would make his or her effort already paid according to the standard of the Lord [see Matthew 6]. The Christian in truth would rather be unknown, unheard of or unacknowledged. With this, he or she is assured of God's reward and a place in one of the mansions in the Father's Kingdom [see John 14: 2-3].
It is true that human nature inclines us to be esteemed, to be appreciated and to be recognized. it is one of the needs of man as presented by psychologists, particularly Abraham Maslow, occupying even the second to the highest level which means that it is already an advanced stage hence very significant to the actualization of human nature. I guess it's something that I do have to confess and ask forgiveness of because somehow I feel that in all that I am doing - like maintaining the Page and this Blog - I am hoping to get that recognition which human nature wishes to enjoy. However, we must never fear to continue doing good and holy things too if we really intend doing them in the name and for the glory of God.
At times the devil uses our sense of humility to lead to have us perform good and holy deeds for the sake of being called humble. On the other hand, the devil may also try to dissuade us from accomplishing good and holy deeds so that we may avoid being noticed and appreciated. These are some of the many manifestations of the so-called false humility. However, as long as we do not expect any earthly return or blow trumpets before doing charitable or heroic works, we only have to return the honor to God whenever people notice and praise or acknowledge whatever good or holy thing we accomplish.
Application of the Message
[1] Prayer
Pray for true humility and ask God to avoid the dangerous extremes of pride and false humility.
[2] Abstinence
What can you abstain from today in order to avoid pride or false humility?
[3] Almsgiving
What can you materially share today as a manner of humbling yourself and exalting another?
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