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25th Sunday ● Wisdom 2:12, 17-20 ● ● Psalm 54 ●● James 3:16-4:3 ● ● + Mark 9:30-37 ● ●
The Gospel message of Jesus
is “triggered” by an argument among the disciples arguing who is the greatest
among them. Then, Jesus speaks of a child as a sign of true greatness, catching
them off guard. Humility and greatness are complementary – they complete each
other. They do not crowd each other out.
“Be not afraid” is a famous phrase from Jesus in the
Gospel. Interestingly, it is also the first part of a well-known quote by
William Shakespeare in the play, Twelfth Night: "Be
not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some
have greatness thrust upon them." Shakespeare is encouraging his listener
not to fear becoming great.
Jesus is also stating in the Gospel, "Be not afraid."
But, Jesus is urging his disciples and us to “be not afraid of humility.”
Humility – or being
humble - rather than something to fear, is essential to greatness.
He shows us that some
are born humble, some are made humble, and some have humility thrust upon them.
But humility is not a weakness; it brings us closer to God and others.
[__02__] Humility
and Reality
What does it mean to be humble? In today's Gospel, Jesus points
out a child. Children are born humble by nature, unable to fend for themselves,
completely dependent on others for survival.
This is true beyond infancy and toddlerhood.
I remember when I was a teenager , age 14, and got my first job
washing dishes in a diner. Despite being pleased to earn my own money, I still
couldn’t fully support myself; I needed my parents for food and shelter. This
is true for all children, and their dependence is a form of humility. They
remind us of the vulnerability of life and, through that, to connect us not
only to our parents as the source of life but to God as the Lord and giver of
life.
[__03__] Humility and Charity
Jesus
teaches us in Matthew 25 to love and care for the humble, including children,
as they represent His presence. He says, "I was hungry, and you gave me to
eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink." In caring for the
vulnerable, especially children, we are in the presence of Christ and true
greatness. Jesus Himself entered the world as a vulnerable child, and in that
humility, we find His greatness.
Working with or advocating for children, whether as a parent,
teacher, volunteer, or healthcare worker, is often humble and unnoticed work.
In a few weeks, we will conduct our October Baby Shower collection of gifts for
the Several Sources Shelter for pregnant women.
Assisting women in crisis is important work, but it is also work that
goes unnoticed in a popular sense.
It is beautiful but also humbling work to care for a child, to
care for a spouse, a sibling, anyone in need.
Yet, it is in this humility that true greatness lies.
Jesus tells us He came not to be served, but to serve. Serving others,
especially the most vulnerable, is the path to greatness.
[__04__] Humility:
Thrust Upon Us
But humility isn’t just something we’re born into—it’s often
thrust upon us. We all face moments when life humbles us, when we don’t receive
the recognition or validation we desire. For many, this humility starts early
in life, perhaps from wanting something from our parents that they couldn’t or
wouldn’t give us. This lack of affirmation can shape our experience of humility.
[__05__] Humility: Being Made Humble. Is
this a Good Thing?
We may be born humble or have humility thrust upon us, but we
can also be made humble. Should we fear this? Jesus says, "Be not
afraid." In humility, we discover our true greatness. It's natural to
resist being humble. I’ll admit, I often find humility difficult.
Then again, do you noticed that award-winning
"champions" and "celebrities" and famous people are often
praised for being "humble". Hey, I want to be praised... !
I might transfer this to myself, to conclude "being
humble" - even pretending to be humble -- will make me more likable. This
is, however, a vain and self-serving view of humility. True humility isn’t
about seeking approval—it’s about recognizing our place before God.
[__06__] Humility: Blessed Carlo Acutis
An example of humility is Blessed Carlo Acutis, a young man on
his way to being canonized in the Catholic Church. Carlo was born in 1991 and
died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15. Despite his short life, he made a
significant impact, using his computer skills to spread the Gospel and considered
a patron saint of young people, computer programmers, and influencers.
His parish priest said:
Carlo’s humility was
evident in how he used his talents not for self-promotion but to glorify God.
Even in his illness, he continued to share God’s love. His parish priest once
said of him, “Carlo was a young man who was exceptionally transparent. He
really wanted to progress in loving his parents, God, his classmates, and those
who loved him less.” (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlo_Acutis)
We might not all be called to
be computer programmers, but we are all called to be influencers of God’s mercy
and love. Even in moments of suffering or pain, we have something to offer. Carlo’s
example reminds us that, through endurance and faith, we can become instruments
of God’s grace, even when we feel weak or insignificant.
Carlo devoted his time
using his computer to advertise not his own achievements, but God's miracles,
Eucharistic miracles and apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Carlo believed
that even in his illness and pain, he had something to share, something to
offer. He was known for his endurance during pain.
[__07__] Rhetorical Q / Reflection
Are you suffering? Are you in pain due to a physical ailment or
rejection by your peers? Even in this you have something to share.
____ To feed the hungry by your generosity, even when you're
starving, _____to give drink to the thirsty by your thoughtfulness, even when
you feel dehydrated, and ____ to clothe the naked by your love, even when you
feel alienated or abandoned ____ in this you can be an influencer.
Whether feeding the
hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, or offering comfort to the lonely, our
acts of love reflect the greatness of humility. We are all children of God, and
in every stage of life, we are called to embody this humility and greatness.
Carlo Acutis once said, “We are all born originals, but some [of
us] die as [Xerox] photocopies." His words are echoed by Pope Francis,
___ “Carlo did not fall into a trap. He saw that many young people,
if they seem to be different, end up, in reality, looking like each other, by
running behind what powerful people impose on them via mechanisms of
consumption and stupor. In this way, they do not let the gifts that the Lord
has made for them flow into them. They do not offer the world these personal
and unique gifts that the Lord has sown in each one of them. ” ___
(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlo_Acutis)
Let us take this message of humility to heart. Jesus' teaching
about being like a child reminds us that humility is not about weakness or
inferiority—it is the path to greatness. We are born humble, but through our
lives and actions, we can become truly great by loving God and our neighbor as
ourselves.
Be not afraid of humility. You were born humble, and through
following Christ’s command to love, you can achieve true greatness, both in
this life and the next.
[__end__]
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