Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Today's first reading from the Letter of St. James continues St. James' advice on how to live the Christian life, and is jam-packed with important insights. One theme which he brings up, which I want to focus on today, is that of humility. He exhorts us: "Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you" (James 4:10). In many ways, this sums up his comments in today's first reading. Already St. James has made clear that God "gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). Pride, the lack of true humility, is the root of many of the ills St. James lists in today's first reading. Humility entails a certain healthy detachment from the things of this world, particularly in the sense of being more attached to the heavenly realities. But it also involves an honest and truthful view of ourselves. This does not always mean simply denigrating ourselves. When we do good, it's ok to acknowledge that, since this is a participation and cooperation with God's grace in our lives. But we must not think too highly of ourselves.

Indeed, this is part of the message from today's Gospel reading as well. The humble shall be exalted. Jesus explains that the first shall be last (Mark 9:35). We must be humble, servants of all. The example of the child Jesus places in their midst is instructive. If you receive a child in Jesus' name, you receive Him. Likewise, we must have the faith of a child.

When we are truly humble, we place others before ourselves. True humility does not lead to self denigration, although it may cause us to be sorry for our sins and to repent. True humility does not lead us to depression, although it may lead us to recognize that the world does not revolve around us. True humility leads us to true joy and happiness, recognizing that we are important, we are special, we are children of God and therefore loved by Him, precious in His sight. But we are mere creatures, we are not gods ourselves. We may participate in creation, but we do not create from nothing. Let us pray for the gift of humility. So that we may approach others with the love they deserve, and we may begin to shed away our own selfishness. Let us worship God wholeheartedly, and be open to being used by God in tremendous ways. Let us pray with Mary, the epitome of humility: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness...The Mighty One has done great things for me" (Luke 1:46-49). For He has done great things for us; He has made us His children.

- Jeff Morrow