Humility

Two of this weekend’s readings address the issue of humility. A text from the book of Sirach says: “Conduct your affairs with humility and you will be loved more than the giver of gifts.”(Sirach 3:17) And in the Gospel, Jesus says: “Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled and the one who humbles himself shall be exalted.”(Luke 14:11)

A basic definition of humility is: knowing who we are and who we are not.  Think about that a little bit.  Who are you?  Who are you not?

Every day in my morning prayer I get to a point where I say:“Thank you God for loving the total package that I am.”  And then I list a number of my failings that always include: self-centeredness, pride, laziness, anger, jealousy, gluttony, greed etc.

Then I thank God for some good qualities that I have. Those include: a tender heart, a creativity, a desire to be a good disciple, a reflectiveness, a sense of humor, etc. And I end the prayer as I began it: “Thank you God for loving the total package that I am.”

 

Knowing the total packages that we are and, recognizing that God loves those packages, is about as humble of a prayer that we can make.

Take time to humbly pray: “Thank you God for loving the total package that I am….”

                                          “Strive to Enter Thru the Narrow Door”

About 12 years ago I finally realized that I needed to get in better physical condition. So I finally got serious about exercising and eating healthier. And that has helped a lot.

I thought of that in light of this weekend’s Gospel. In response to a question about how many people will be saved, Jesus said: “Strive to enter thru the narrow door.” (Lk: 13:24)

"Fitting thru the narrow door” made me think about getting in shape spiritually. So I've thought about daily spiritual exercises can help us fit thru the narrow door.  

Here are 5 possible components of a daily spiritual exercise routine.

   

-Set aside a reasonable amount of time to pray each day.

-Be conscious everyday of the loving things you can say or do for others.

-Make a daily effort to remember the poor in some way.

-Willingly carry a cross each day. 

   

-Be grateful hourly.  

                                                     Setting the Earth on Fire

In this weekend’s Gospel text Jesus says something very startling.  He says: “I have come to set the earth on fire.” (Luke 12:49) He clearly does not mean this in a literal sense.  He is much more focused on bringing ‘passion’ and ‘fire in the belly’ to this complacent, self-centered and weary world. 

What kind of fire does Jesus want to set within you?

When have you experienced some fire in your belly?    

What does it mean when we say: ‘Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. And kindle in us the fire of your love’? 

Recently I was at a party with some younger children.  As evening came we noticed the fireflies. And the children were mesmerized by them and they ran after them. Those fireflies brought so much joy.  

What kind of fire will you bring to this world in the week ahead?

                                            Our Treasures and Our Hearts

In this coming weekend’s Gospel, Jesus says ”Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”  (Lk 12:34) I just returned from a three-day mini-vacation with my sister. In recent years we’ve planned a summer outing to catch up on family stuff and talk about things that matter in our lives. 

Time like this, spent with my sister, is a real treasure. 

Over coffee on the last day I told my sister how I see God in her. She’s a very loving person, always the first one to express support for someone facing trouble. She has a really tender heart.

I think that’s the first time I’ve ever told anyone how I see God in him/her. Have you ever said that to anyone?

What/who are the treasures of your heart? In whom or in what can you see God’s presence?

God is in everyone and everything that God has made. God is in our churches, in our homes, on our streets and in the poor. It’s just that we don’t look deep enough or behind the masks that we and others wear.  Remember: Where our treasures are, there also will our hearts be.

Footnote: August 10^th is the feast of St. Lawrence. According to legend, the Roman Prefect ordered St. Lawrence to produce the wealth of the church in 3 days. So he gathered the poor, the sick, the widows and the orphans and he told the prefect “These are the treasures of the Church!” 

                                                     Guard against Greed

This weekend’s Gospel (Lk 12:13-21) warns us to avoid greed in all forms. Then we hear a parable about a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. And he talks to himself about what he will do with this big harvest. In the end he decides to build larger barns.

After he filled his bigger barns, he said to himself: “You have so many good things stored up for many years. Eat, Drink, Be merry!” “But God said: ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and all the things you have, to whom will they belong?’”

Consider the following issues:  

Do you have more ‘stuff’ than you need?  Analyze your closets, basement, attic, and garage.

Do you think you have too much money?  Write a check to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Consider living in solidarity with the poor for the next week.  What would that mean?

Did you notice that the rich man only talked to himself?  With whom can you talk about greed, self-centeredness and living in solidarity with the poor?