Clothed in Humility

My child, conduct your affairs with humility,
and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.
Humble yourself the more, the greater you are,
and you will find favor with God.

Sirach 3:17-18

It goes without saying that following Christ is not always easy, and it is especially true in today’s world and in a society where the “I” or “me” is constantly promoted. A quick rewording of one’s title on social media. Using a filter to enhance one’s facial features. Checking how many hits or likes one has earned. There is nothing wrong with being proud of one’s self, but when it becomes the only thing and most important thing you care about, then it becomes a problem. A big problem.

Humility is a virtue that has seem to gone by the wayside. A 6-feet hole has been dug, humility has been thrown down it, and rocks and soil filled in the hole. When one puts humility to death, one walks away with only their pride, and without humility to do checks and balances, it can go very bad. With pride taking the lead, selfishness soon follows along with untamed ambitiousness. That is not Christian.

As Christians we are called to clothe ourselves in humility, in other words, to put on Christ. Jesus advises people to take a seat in a lower place, at a table that is not close to the center of attention so that one may be invited to a higher place, a place where only one with a humble heart can go. This is not saying that we are to sit in the back of the Church — for many of our Catholic brothers and sisters! This place is a place in our hearts. Who or what comes to our mind when we do or say something? Is it “what will I get out of this?” or “how will this be beneficial to me?” Or does someone else come to mind, “what are his needs?” or “How can we help her?” Simply put, to take the lowest place means to put others first. This is not to say we should neglect ourselves or our needs. It does mean that in all that we do, we should always remember to love God and love others. To clothe oneself in humility is to seek first the will of God in our lives. For Jesus told us that if we seek first the Kingdom, everything else will come to us. It is only when we start from the lowest point will we be able to go up. Only a cup that is empty can be filled. If our hearts is filled with anxiety, our own ambitions and wants, how can we expect God to fill them? Only a heart that is clothed in humility can be filled.

Cloud of Witness

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us
while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus,
the leader and perfecter of faith.”

Hebrews 12:1-2

How often have we heard the phrase “standing on the shoulders of giants” or something similar when referring to those who have gone before us. Where we are today is a direct consequence of those who came before us. The forefathers of our country fought for freedom and independence. Our grandparents and parents who left their homeland to come to this country to start a new life with the hopes of a better life for the generations to come. We are the beneficiaries of the sweat and tears of our ancestors. We are reaping the fruits out the labor of the cloud of witness that surrounds us.

The Prophet Jeremiah is the prophet that most shows the pathos or suffering of God. God’s suffering is seen through Jeremiah’s suffering. When Jeremiah tells the people to return to God and to not resist the Babylonians, they were furious and instead of the listening to him, throws him down a cistern. The reject the word of God and prefer the words of false prophets. They ignore the cloud of witness but instead are clouded by their own self-interest and ambitions. They have forgotten those giants on whose shoulders they are being carried.

As Christians, our eyes must always be fixed on Christ who always leads us to His Father. We must never forget the giants on whose shoulders we are being supported and carried. The martyrs and saints in heaven who bore witness to Christ and His love throughout the centuries spilt their blood so that the faith that was passed onto them might not be lost. It is because of these faithful witnesses that we are here today. And, they are still with us today. The surround us with their prayers and are constantly lifting up ours to Christ. Let us learn from the Israelites and not prefer to listen only to what soothes our ears, but rather listen to that which soothes our hearts, that which brings lasting peace and joy — the truth, the Truth that the cloud of witnesses constantly remind us of, the Truth that is Christ Himself.

Assumed into Heaven

Today the Church celebrates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. When her earthly life was completed, Mary was taken upon into heaven body and soul. Mary’s entire life was one that followed and did the will of God. From the moment at the Annunciation when she said, “Let it be done to me according to Your Word,” Mary’s life was one of passivity, in that she allowed God to do whatever He needed to do to bring about the salvation of the world and she fully cooperated. Even upon the last moments of her earthly life, Mary was assumed into heaven. Being assumed is also the language of passivity, it was something done to the person. Mary truly allowed herself to be an instrument of God and His will, from being the Ark that carried the New Covenant to the Mother of His Church.

This passivity is not the same as idleness of indifference. The type of passivity that Mary embodied was one that was at the same time active. In allowing God to use her as an instrument, she needed to say “yes” and also needed to carry out all that God asked of her. It is in the passivity that one finds the means to carry out the will of God in one’s life. In other words, it is only through prayer, first and foremost, that we will be able to live out our calling, carrying out the will of God in our lives. May we, like Mary, embrace this spirit of passivity, rooting ourselves in prayer, in our relationship with God, and allow the Lord to use us as His hands and feet here on earth to shows His love and mercy to all.