Humility is the pervasive theme of today’s readings for mass. The first reading and the gospel explain how we should seek humility in our lives, and the second reason tells us why. Many famous people like movie stars, sports figures and politicians enjoy the attention they receive from others and it makes them feel important. However, the second reading today explains in great detail what it is like to actually be in the presence of God, in heaven with all the angels and the righteous made perfect through Jesus Christ. There is no comparison.
Have you ever sat outside on a clear night and gazed at the millions of stars sparkling in the sky above you? The vastness of space is something we just can’t really comprehend, we can’t quite get our minds to grasp the whole thing. But, the longer you gaze at the stars and contemplate the many galaxies that make up the universe, the more you come to realize we are less than a speck of dust in the cosmos. We are so small and insignificant, how can God even notice us? We are less than a germ in the scope of the universe. Our lives flourish, then die like grass. Here today, but gone tomorrow. No matter how smart, beautiful, talented, popular or powerful we are, we are here on this earth but for a brief moment in time. At best, we are a little spark of light that ignites, burns and then dies away. Our physical bodies that is, we do have a part of ourselves that is eternal and will live forever, and that of course is our souls.
There is no greater thing that you could devote your life to than to develop your soul in preparation for eternal life. Your body is here today and gone tomorrow but your soul is alive forever. We get distracted from this at times. That is why it is important to go to mass every week, go to confession regularly, pray and read the bible, but it is also important that we learn to love God more and other people too. The scriptures remind us of what is important in life. Mankind thought that these words were of permanent worth and have protected the words of the bible for thousands of years, and they were unselfish in doing this. People we do not know, wanted us to know about God, to love Jesus and to come to know him through the sacred scriptures. They actually did what Jesus is talking about in today’s scriptures and have set the example for us on how to live our own lives too. We are to love other people who have no means of thanking us or paying us back. We may never see the fruits of our work in this life, but we will in the next. This is also true with our own family and friends too. The results of our actions and how they have affected other people both for the good, or for the bad will only be fully known in heaven and we will be very thankful then, that we listened to Jesus.
Humility is to forget oneself and to think of others, to come outside of yourself and be concerned with the needs of other people. Narcissism is what we are trying to avoid. We are not the center of the universe where ever we go, we are simply a part of the human race. It is easy to get in the habit of thinking “I”. I was in line first, so I don’t need to worry about the pregnant lady standing behind me holding a baby and a little child and a single gallon of milk at the check out line in the grocery store, for an example. It’s none of my business. However, humility means to put another person first, especially if they are in more need than you. Another example is Christmas mass. It is a great kindness to move to the center of the pew and allow others, even those with young children (especially those with young children) to sit down during mass instead of stand the whole time in the back of the room. Even if they were late, there could be reasons for their tardiness that we would understand if we knew about them. Spilled milk, flat tires and temper tantrums happen in even the best of families. If you would like to welcome Christ, then welcome him into your pew at mass too.
The first reading for mass today says “For great is the might of the Lord; but by the humble he is glorified.” And do you know why? Because the humble forget themselves and allow us to see God’s presence at work in the world instead. Maybe we could work on forgetting ourselves and our own wants a little more this week and be happy to just be a part of God’s family wherever we are. This is the joy, the real treasure that lasts forever. We will see each other at the resurrection of the righteous and our joy will not be a temporary pleasure, like earthly things were.
Our joy lies in knowing, loving and serving God and one another both in this life, and in the life to come.
