The WORD today reminds me that I should always be humble, especially before God.
They say that humility is not about thinking less of yourself, but rather, thinking of yourself less.
All of us were made by God. All of us are God’s masterpieces. All of us are special. This is why we should not think less of ourselves. We should not look down on ourselves and feel we are useless or very common with nothing to contribute to the world, or that we are inferior compared to others.
We should, however, think of ourselves less. We should think of others more. We should not get in our heads all that we have accomplished in this world. We should not expect special treatment and extra courtesy just because of worldly achievements, power and fame. We should be more sensitive to others. We should think of others more. As we think of others more, we think of God more.
In the gospel, Jesus tells the Pharisees to humble themselves. Those who exalts themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. We should know our place in front of God. We should be ready to humble ourselves are remember that we are nothing before God.
Lahat ng meron ka ay galing sa Diyos.
No human achievement, no human power, no human fame and fortune is enough reason to be proud. We all achieved these things with God’s grace. We all obtained these things with God’s permission. We should not be proud and tell God we are self-made, successful and powerful.
What are my greatest achievements and accomplishments in life? How do I feel about these? Do I feel that I worked hard for these and that I deserve these things? Or do I know that God blessed me and allowed these things to happen? Am I too proud of what I have become, or do I still humble myself before God?
May we develop a humble heart as we serve God, and be humble and gracious to others as well.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another weekend. Thank you for reminding me how important it is to be humble. Sorry for the times I let worldly things and achievements get to me. Sorry for being proud and losing my focus on you. Help me always put the focus on you, that despite all my worldly accomplishments, may I never put myself above others but always be humble. I know that I am a sinner, I am your creation that should always be ready to serve you and live my life for your praise, honor and glory. As I humble myself, help me be humble and love and serve you through others. Amen.
Blessed Weekend!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
October 31, 2020
Saturday of Week 30; St. Alphonsus Rodriguez
FIRST READING
Brothers and sisters:
As long as in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Indeed I shall continue to rejoice, for I know that this will result in deliverance for me through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. My eager expectation and hope is that I shall not be put to shame in any way, but that with all boldness, now as always, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me life is Christ, and death is gain. If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better. Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit. And this I know with confidence, that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me when I come to you again.
As long as in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Indeed I shall continue to rejoice, for I know that this will result in deliverance for me through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. My eager expectation and hope is that I shall not be put to shame in any way, but that with all boldness, now as always, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me life is Christ, and death is gain. If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better. Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit. And this I know with confidence, that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me when I come to you again.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
As the hind longs for the running waters, so my soul longs for you, O God.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God?
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
I went with the throng and led them in procession to the house of God. Amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiving, with the multitude keeping festival.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
As the hind longs for the running waters, so my soul longs for you, O God.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God?
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
I went with the throng and led them in procession to the house of God. Amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiving, with the multitude keeping festival.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
ALLELUIA
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.
He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
No comments:
Post a Comment