Sunday Reflections

Many times it is easy to recognize how the things at the top of the list in our world are way down the list in the kingdom of God, and vice versa, what is to be sought for the kingdom of God is not sought after in our world.  One obvious example, for me, is the virtue of humility.  Our society tells us to be a winner is to be proud, self-sufficient, independent, and boastful.  Humility is for losers!  Yet, Jesus encourages us in the gospel today to be humble – in order to be exalted by Him, and have a special place in the kingdom of God.  The Book of Sirach also tells us that “the greater you are, the more you should behave humbly, and then you will find favour with the Lord”.  Humility speaks to me of the recognition that all that I have and am comes from God, which fills me with gratitude, and encourages me to unite myself more deeply with God.  This also produces the attitude that we are brothers and sisters, and thus I seek harmony with others.  It is not easy for some to ‘get their heads around’ this notion, but Jesus leaves no doubt that this is the way to life in Him.