Just returned from Holy Family’s Third Annual
Spaghetti Dinner. The nicest feedback I received was from a gentleman with his
walker who came up to share that he was grateful that his son comes to church.
This father shared that he attends another Catholic church in a nearby town, but
he has heard so many good things about he spirit of Holy Family.
Frankly, I wish that I was more like this man.
For despite his physical limitations, he shared a unique quality of the
Christian spirit and that is humility.
Let me help you look through the lens of faith
and realize that humility does not mean that we are no better than anyone else.
It is humanly impossible not to compare ourselves to others. We all like to
make comparisons, that we are better at what we do, that we are more holy or that
our church is more friendly. But the roots of humility do not lie in where we
stand, above or below, others in terms of our moral behavior.
When we think about being humble, and sincerely
believe ourselves to be no better than anyone else in this world, we need to
look at our “sweet spot,” at the depth of our heart, where one sees that, like
everyone else in this world, we are vulnerable, alone, fearful, naked,
self-centered, inadequate, helpless, just as much in need of God and others as
absolutely every other person on this earth, and, thus, no better than anyone
else.
Nobody gives themselves life, or gives themselves
salvation. We are all equally inadequate and helpless here. Our vulnerability levels
us all and the key to genuine humility lies in recognizing that. Indeed, the
more morally and psychologically sensitive we are, the more likely we are to
recognize our neediness and our solidarity in weakness with everyone else.
When we make the claim that we are no better than
anyone else and that we stand in need of God's mercy just as much as every
sinner on earth, we are not faking humility, but we are not making moral
comparisons with our neighbors or other religions.
The invitation to humility is a clear: Become
like a little child. Take the lowest place. Never consider yourself better than
anyone else. Know that you need God's mercy as much as the greatest sinner on
earth. However we don't come to this by comparing ourselves to others, but by
recognizing how utterly naked we all stand outside of God's mercy.
God prays for us as we reflect: “My child, perform your
tasks with humility; then you will be loved by those whom God accepts.” (Sirach
3:17.)
Lord,
I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who go about their ordinary lives with much
grace and kindness. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.
