“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Gospel for Aug. 31, Lk 14:11)
One lesson of this parable in Luke’s Gospel is that when you exalt yourself, there’s nowhere to go but down. In the life of a disciple of Christ, we are called to develop the virtue of humility. We are called to self-giving service to others, not self-serving advancement of ourselves. Let us strive not to seek worldly honors in an egotistical spirit, but rather to live as servants to others so that God may exalt us to eternal life.
This month, in which we celebrate the feast of Blessed Michael McGivney on Aug. 13, I challenge you to pray each day the Litany of Blessed Michael McGivney or the prayer for his canonization — and take time to reflect on his humility in serving the people of God.
Do you sometimes struggle with the sin of pride? How can you be at once humble of heart and yet bold in living and proclaiming your faith? What living examples of humble service have you found in your own life?
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