Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist
Humility is not an attribute that people in our culture find appealing. And yet, I believe that humility is an essential part of being a disciple of Jesus. Some people think that being humble entails feeling worthless or being self-effacing, but I do not think that this is humility, and behaving this way is not what God desires. In order to be humble in the eyes of God, we must recognize that who we are and everything we have are gifts from Him. We do not deny our goodness or blessings, but give credit to God who showers us with His grace. When we are able to openly accept that we are nothing without Him, then He is able to use us completely to do His works as we help to build His kingdom.
In the first reading, Peter reminds us that we should “Clothe yourselves with humility. “ When we are humble in the eyes of God, then He bestows “favor” and he will “exalt you in due time.” Peter goes on to explain how the devil is always attempting to take us from the loving arms of God. When we think we are always in control, believe what we want is most important, and worry endlessly about the future, then the devil prevents God’s grace from working in our lives. Pride, greed and fear place the focus on us and this mindset allows no room for God or others. It is only through a humble admission of God’s almighty power and compassion that He will be able to “restore, confirm and strengthen” us for His work and glory.
In the gospel reading, Jesus is sending forth his disciples to “Go into the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” Jesus explains that they will be able to do mighty deeds because of faith in Him. Mark goes on to explain that the apostles did go forth and the “Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.” Because the apostles humbly saw Jesus as their Lord and believed in His love, they were able to allow the power of Christ to do great things through them.
Putting humility into practical terms can be challenging. Matt Maher (Christian song writer) uses the “Litany of Humility” to help put the idea of being humble into more contemporary concepts in his song “Every Little Prison (Deliver Me)”. (Lyrics to song http://www.songlyrics.com/matt-maher/every-little-prison-lyrics/) There are several phrases that particularly remind me of my lack of humility and by need to be delivered.
“From wanting to be loved, from wanting to be praised by all
From needing to be first, from finding all my worth in this world”
When I am constantly worrying about recognition for who I am and what I have done, this is when the center of my universe is me- not God. God has certainly given each of us talents to use and share- but He desires that we listen to the will of God for how we use these gifts for the service and good of others. Jesus in his humility always recognized His Father and the Spirit as the source of His strength and power. He also did all things not to gain attention for Himself, but to serve others and to give glory to His Father.
“From fear of letting go, from fear of the unknown ahead
From being overlooked and so misunderstood again”
There are many times that I spend a great deal of energy bemoaning past mistakes or situations and worrying about the future. Instead of trusting in the forgiveness and mercy of God, I believe that I can control or change what happened or what might happen. Once again, Jesus shows us that total trust in God- even when we are in the midst of suffering- leads to resurrection and new life. Although He was the Son of God, He humbly placed everything into God’s hands allowing the Father to do great things through and with Him.
Jesus practices humility in the most perfect way in His life, death and resurrection. By recognizing God the Father and Spirit as His foundation, He is able to perform great works. When we find God and His love at the center of our person, then we can humbly respond by using all we have received from Him to return our love through our words and actions.
May we live humbly in the eyes of God, so that empowered with His Spirit, we can be true disciples of Jesus sharing His good news with all people. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. Amen.
- Marylynn Herchline