Sir. 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; Ps. 68: 4-7, 10-11; Heb. 12:18-19, 22-24a; Lk.14:1, 7-14
Being humble of heart is living the truth that there is a God and we are not a god. Be humble of heart and learn from the Lord what it is to truly be “meek and humble of heart”. Humility is often misunderstood as a sign of weakness when in fact it takes great courage to stand up to the truth whether convenient or inconvenient. A person who is humble of heart does not seek personal attention or recognition but desires to reflect the truth of who we are and who God is.
We are created and God is the creator, we are sinners and God is the redeemer of our sins, we are the imperfect and God is the perfector of our lives, we are pilgrims and God is the way; we desire to live and God provides us life. To be humble of heart is to accept the truth of God.
A person who is meek is not weak. When the Lord says he is “meek”, he recognizes who he is as the son of God, what his purpose is for which he came into this world, and accepting the sacrifice he is prepared to make for the salvation of souls. This meekness takes great courage. We too can learn from Jesus to be meek by accepting our call, our purpose in doing his will, and being ready to carry the cross that may come. We are a child of God here to do his will in meekness and with a humble heart of love.
Jesus is calling us to learn from him what it is to be in this world but not of this world. The world desires attention and recognition seeking to showcase every life on social media and have followers and with influencers to influence what you think, how to look, what is popular and be a “good” follower of what is acceptable to the world. In contrast the Lord teaches us if you “humble yourself the more, the greater you are”. The good that we do is for God and from God and he who sees all things will multiply our blessings.
The world desires power and control and it often does it by trying to destroy the other. Many battles and wars have been fought not only between nations, tribes, and neighborhoods but even at the kitchen table among families claiming rights or entitlements. Being humble of heart desire the good of the other, is willing to sacrifice for the other. This is the “city of the living God”, not an earthly city but a spiritual city, a heavenly Jerusalem with Jesus “the mediator of a new covenant”. It is a covenant with “sprinkled blood” from the sacrifice of love. We cannot say “thank you Jesus for the blood of your sacrifice” and not be open to the share in the sacrifice of the cross. Jesus says “take my yoke…and learn from me”, learn to be humble in carrying the cross.
I had just finished my Master’s degree and was applying for my first professional job. I was interviewed by two women for a job as a counselor. In most interviews you want to show confidence and competence and be positive so I was greatly surprised when towards the end of the interview one woman said, “You are very proud”. I didn’t know how to respond to this criticism. I got the job but it left we having to reflect on how I carry myself. The difference between confidence versus “a know it all” attitude is humility and humility is recognizing your limitations and admitting your mistakes.
God is the perfector to holiness but not in a heart filled with pride. The mind that believes “I know best” leaves no room for God. God knows best and our minds have to bend to the will of God. He has already given us a roadmap through the scriptures but knowing how to read the roadmap requires us to trust in Jesus, learn from him in a very personal direct union of hearts and souls.
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