Category Archives: humility

Let go

3_candlesWhen John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Matthew 11:2-3

I imagine John the Baptist had some moments of stress in prison, wondering what would happen to the work he’d begun. To know that Jesus was busy healing those who were blind, lame, deaf, lepers, or poor opened his eyes to recognize the Christ, and meant he could let go and surrender everything to Jesus.

My own worries – big and small, world-centered and self-centered – take up a lot of time and energy. Maybe this Advent I will have the courage to surrender everything to Jesus.

 

Remember me

ev4pa04

Christ the King

Then [the other criminal] said,
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:42

Sometimes I forget I am a precious child of God - and so are you. Sometimes I forget I am made in the image and likeness of God’s goodness and love – and so are you. Sometimes I forget I am called to love myself and you.

Today I will practice remembering who I am, who you are, and Who loved us all into being.

Surrender

sanfrancisco[Jesus] answered, “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified.” Luke 21:9a

I am terrified that I am a mistake, a bother, a nuisance. My inner wars have me doubting my self-worth and wishing I were perfect. I rebel against physical pain, mental fatigue, and getting older. I wage an ongoing battle between gratitude for my many blessings and wanting what I don’t have.

The only answer to war, insurrections, and terror that I have found is complete and unconditional surrender to God’s love. Moment by moment.

 

Trust God’s Mercy

fariseo_y_publicano_byn

Fariseo y publicano
Luke 18:9-14

 

‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ Luke 18:13

God loves me. God made me in love for love. God made me in God’s own image of love and goodness.

And so I dare to approach God in prayer, trusting God will have compassion on me despite my weaknesses and failings, trusting God will teach me a new and better way to be, trusting God’s mercy has the power to transform me in every moment so that I become ever more like God in love and goodness.

Do not lose heart

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Luke 18:1-8

…pray always without becoming weary. Luke 18:1b

God likes to hear from me. I am never a bother to God. Gratitude, grumbles, and pleas for help are all understood by God as my human attempts to communicate with the Mystery who loves me unconditionally and wants all good for me.

Can I trust today that God is near, listening, and ready to respond?

Just a tiny bit of faith

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Luke 17:6

The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” Luke 17:6

Just a tiny bit of faith and I know that God can, God will, and God wants to.

Lord, grant me the grace to accept Thy divine will.

Following Christ

23 kruis opnemen[Jesus addressed them,] “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27

My “own cross” is my responsibility to love God with all my heart, soul, and mind, and my neighbor as myself.

How have I shown love for God today? How have I loved myself today? Who are my neighbors? How have I loved a neighbor today?

Light a candle for peace

sim1luz09Lord, let the light of your peace shine through me in my little corner of the world. Show me how to respect, honor, and love every member of your human family—those I know and those I will never meet.

Humble pie

The Poor invited to the feast - Luke 14:15-24

JESUS MAFA. The poor invited to the feast, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.

[Jesus said,] “Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.
For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:13-14

I cannot imagine seeking out the poor, crippled, lame, or blind to have a meal at my home. What would I cook for them, I who am not much of a cook? Annie’s gluten free macaroni and cheese?

I think the point Jesus is making is that I must learn to overcome self-centeredness and become aware of others and their needs. I must learn to help others quietly and unobtrusively, without expecting thanks or any kind of return. I must learn to give freely, with open hands, just as God gives me love and compassion without end. I must learn to welcome everyone I meet, not just those who might be able to further my career, or those who make me smile, or those whose opinions match my own. I must learn to look at everyone with eyes and heart open to see and welcome a precious child of God, a member of God’s beloved human family. I must learn that we all have a place at God’s table and my place is not at the head.