20th Week in Ordinary Time : Saturday 26th August 2023

“Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled; Anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Mt.23: 12)

Humility is the fruit of our response to ‘dying’ of self. In other words, we are called die to ourselves when we encounter different forms of earthly concerns – insults, rejection, misunderstanding, sickness, non-recognition, lack of appreciation etc.

Christ undoubtedly showed us how to live HUMILITY, par excellence, by dying on the cross for our sins. Another clear example is the ‘washing of the feet’’. He cautioned His disciples on this aspect of discipleship. This is somewhat re-iterated by Blessed Nicolas Barre when he wrote (Letter 32):

“We are wasting time and our very life if we are not progressing humbly. In our humility, we reach down to its admirable depths, fully aware of our own nothingness before God, and at all times and in all places.”

How profound this statement is!

This is also illustrated in the first reading wherein Ruth, in her self-giving humility, touched the heart of Boaz, who took her to be his wife. This is a clear sign of the reward of having lived a humble life, as Ruth did.

We have countless examples in the lives of the Saints, ordinary people who lived a humble and happy life at the service of the needy ones around.

“Lord, help us be humble and acknowledge the truth of who we are, What we are  … So that we will be in harmony with  people and nature – God’s creation.