Sometimes we can get caught up in social status, cherishing feelings of importance and respect. In the Gospel today Jesus reminds us that true greatness lies in how we offer our lives, directing us away from external accolades and turning us toward the beauty of a life of humble service.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 30th Week of the Year
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The Scriptures today reveal the awesome power of God – the source of all life and grace – and helps us understand that our relationship with the Lord requires us to receive with humble respect from the Almighty as we share the gifts we have been given with grateful hearts.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 20th Week of the Year
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Today offers two options for the Gospel reading – the baptism of Jesus in Mark or the genealogy of Christ in Luke – and reveals to us the humble, simple and open manner in which the Lord meets us in our human weakness.
Mass Readings – Christmas weekday
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Photo Credit: Son of God, 2014
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 30th Week of the Year
As the Lord observes people positioning themselves for places of honor at a banquet, he uses the opportunity to teach about pride and humility, inviting us to avoid making comparisons and seeking a simple approach.
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Mass Readings – Wednesday of 1st Lent
God calls every generation to repentance as we observe in the book of Jonah and the Gospel of Luke today. Rather than chase after miracles, wonders and signs, may we respond to this ongoing call to conversion of heart – turning away from sin and turning toward the Lord.
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Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of the Year
Humility happens when we are simultaneously aware of our sins and acknowledge God’s grace. When we bring together this understanding of our sinfulness and God’s mercy we can be honest with ourselves and thus approach the Lord and others with a humble heart.
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Study: How do you recognize a humble person? What qualities do you look for in others?
Pray: Do you struggle with pride (the opposite of humility) in some aspect of your life? Ask the Lord to soften your heart.
Serve: Is there a way you can help someone without calling attention to yourself? How might you do a random act of kindness today, without any desire for personal acknowledgement?
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of the Year
Let’s take a quick overview of the readings this week:
Throughout these readings the notion of humility surfaces, and this virtue often serves as a foundation for our life of faith. Here are some reasons why…
First, humility sets us in right relation with God. About the time we get caught up in ourselves, something happens that derails our plans and reminds us that we are not the center of the universe. When we see our lives in a larger context (the country, the world, the solar system…you get the idea) we suddenly discover that we are in fact very, very small. As the creator of all we look to the Lord with a deeper understanding and consideration that our lives – a bit of dust for a blink of an eye – are nothing compared to the glory and grandeur of God.
Second, humility sets us in right relation with others. Every person we meet is created in the image and likeness of God, and our lives are sustained by the Father’s will alone. The same grace that forgives us our sins also extends to our sisters and brothers…and if the Lord lavishes mercy upon all in their moment of need, then perhaps we might want to cut them a little slack in their shortcomings as well. Simply put, we can be kind, patient and forgiving with others as God has been with us.
Third, humility helps us honestly assess our human hearts. Seeing ourselves in proper relationship with the Lord and one another, we can embrace our lives (with their blessings & burdens) and live our faith in a genuine and engaging way. We see our sins with greater clarity, comprehend God’s mercy more fully, and live with gratitude the gifts we’ve been given with joy as we bring aid and assistance to one another. In other words, humility helps us to be authentic: we know ourselves better so we can share our lives more fully with one another.
Through humility we place God first as we sincerely and honestly reach out to those around us. A humble person is open, honest, easy to get along with and helpful in a moment of need. May our faith in Christ teach us humility, and help us to humbly respond to those the Lord sets before us today.
