10 Percent. 10 Commandments

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 Homily –  Oct 13, 2024  /  28^th Sunday (Year B)  ● Wisdom 7:7-11 ●   Psalm 90 ● Hebrews 4:12-13 ●  + Mark 10:17-30●  Title: 10 Percent. 10 Commandments

 [__01__]  In the Gospel, we read about a man of some prestige and status asks Jesus the ultimate question:  “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He has followed the Commandments, so he says, and heeded the call to follow Jesus.  Jesus’ response disappoints him and he leaves “shocked” and “grieving.”  How hard is it to follow Christ?

          I’d like to address this in reference to:

 ·       Man in the Top 10 Percent.

·       God’s Word in 10 commandments

·       Our call to give the first 10 percent

 [__02__]  In the Gospel, we refer to this man as the “rich young man” or “rich young ruler”

          Can we too be considered “rich?”  Richness or excellence can be measured in many ways – being highly educated, wealthy, connected. Perhaps he is all of the above.  We are told that this rich man has many possessions.  But, how much does this matter?

          I read a study that suggests we tend to over-estimate our own capabilities and competency.

There is survey showing that that a large majority (90%) of business managers and leaders believe their performance is in the top 10%, hinting at a tendency to overestimate their abilities.

At times, I am inclined to over-estimate my own capability to consider that when things go wrong that other people are to blame.

I can relate to this Gospel and the “survey results”. I might also include myself in the top 10%, in my humble opinion (IMHO) ! J “insert smile emoji here.”

Does the rich young man – do I – do you perceive myself as a faithful follower just based on “performance”?

The young man likely understood temptation and the need for repentance. Jewish prayers and temple sacrifices focused on atonement for sin, and the Law provided a clear measure of righteousness.

But, even this can be turn us into being very materially focused and even self-righteous.

This man is in the top 10  percent.

 [__03__]  God’s Word is given to us in 10 commandments      

The rich man in the Gospel fancied himself “good” since he believed that he had followed the 10 Commandments throughout his life.  First,  Moses, in receiving these 10 commandments, received 2 stone tablets. 

So how many of the TEN commandments were on each of the TWO stone tablets?

What's the distinction between the 2 tablets? The distinction is that commandments, # 1, # 2, # 3, on the 1^st tablet. And, these first 3 are all about love of God:   ___ thou shalt have no other gods before me, ___ Keep holy the Sabbath day. ___ Don't take the name of the Lord's God, name Lord in vain.

The 10 Commandments are given on these 2 stone tablets, with this distinction. The 1^st tablet focuses on love of God.  

The 2^nd tablet contains commandments 4 through 10, focusing on love of neighbor, such as honoring thy father and thy mother, not killing, not committing adultery, and not stealing. 

The rich young man mentions that he has excelled at observing the commandments on the 2^nd tablet—those related to loving his neighbor. 

[__04__] Jesus, however, mentions something else, and challenges him regarding the 1^st three commandments, asking if he truly puts God above all else. The question isn’t just about avoiding penalties, but about love—loving God with all one’s heart.

Isn’t it true that we often follow laws primarily to avoid trouble, fines, or punishment? We avoid lying, cheating, or stealing not just because they’re wrong, but to avoid negative consequences. But is fear of punishment the only reason we follow the commandments?

 [__05__] Jesus reminds us that all the commandments are fundamentally about love of God. Consider how our ethical values, such as the protection of life—whether the life of an unborn child or a child we do not know—are grounded in love of God. When Jesus said, "The kingdom of God belongs to such as these," He reminded us that our love for vulnerable people stems from recognizing that all life belongs to God, a truth that is particularly pertinent during this Respect Life month of October. Even those who don’t believe in God can still love others, but the straight line to protecting life comes from acknowledging that life is not solely created by us. 

[__06__] Jesus is challenging the rich young man to see that the commandments are not just rules for success or achieving a high rank. They are about protecting human life and recognizing the God-given value of each person. We are protected not merely by laws written in our cities, states, or nations, but by God's law, which affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every human being. In summary, all the commandments can be summed up as loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself. 

Thomas Merton wrote, in his prologue to *No Man Is an Island*: 

[__07__]   Having been rich and obedient to the Commandments of God, the rich man is then confronted by Jesus with his love of material possessions. 

This essay by Thomas Merton reminds me of a biblical principle that we are called to give – always – our first 10 percent to God.

          In charitable giving, this relates to 10 % of our money to charity or tithing.

          But, what about the first 10% of our day. Consider that if we need approximately 2 hours to “get going” in the morning – that’s 120 minutes.

          We might need 2 hours total to get dressed, commute to work, have some breakfast, check our messages.  That’s 120 minutes.

          Can we give 10% of 120 – or 12 minutes – each day – for prayer?

Often, we can give more, but how about a minimum of 12 minutes per day?

          And how about in our love for others deciding to give the first 10% - the first ten minutes of time, attention to our loved ones.

          By giving our first 10 % we also learn not to adore ourselves but to adore and worship God:

 [__08__]       Thomas Merton:  It is of supreme importance that we commit ourselves to love, not simply to love ourselves, but to love others. The rich young man is being asked to give up his possessions because real change begins with giving ourselves away and being generous. When we love others, we can more easily accept our own limitations. 

Maybe I’m not in the top 10% of pastors, but I can live with that, knowing that I am loved by God and have inherent value that transcends any statistic. 

As long as we secretly adore ourselves—and I admit, I’m guilty of this—our flaws will haunt us, and we’ll never be satisfied with ourselves. But if we love others and truly live for them, we’ll realize that no one expects us to be “God”.

We are human, with weaknesses and deficiencies, and those very imperfections can lead us closer to God. 

[Concluding example__09___]

Do you want the blessings of eternal life with God?  Would you like to be in the top 10%? Or to have 10% more wealth, success, or return on your investments? Jesus warns that such desires can pull us away from God, just as they did for King David.

David, despite his material wealth as king, fell into grave sin and had to seek God’s mercy. He prayed in Psalm 51: "Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness; in your compassion, blot out my offense." Today’s Gospel also reminds us that “nothing is impossible with God.”

This psalm teaches us that true greatness and worth come not from material things but from seeking God’s help with a humble and contrite heart: 

“A humble, contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn.”   (Psalm 51)

Our connection to God through humility and prayer is where true greatness and salvation and our hope of inheriting eternal life.   [___end____]

 

 

All of the Above (2024-10-06, Sunday - 27)

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Homily –  Oct 6, 2024  /  27^th Sunday (Year B)  ● Genesis 2:18-24  ●   Psalm 128 ● Hebrews 2:9-11  ●  + Mark 10:2-16●

“All of the Above”  Gospel reference: Mark 10:2-16

 [__01__]    In October, traditionally dedicated to the Rosary and the Blessed Virgin Mary, we reflect on how God reveals His plans to us through prayer. Mary, our Blessed Mother, was constantly called to prayer, particularly as she pondered the mystery of God’s Incarnation. We too are called to pray, whether we are courageous or fearful. While prayer doesn’t erase fear, it helps us understand its source. In silence and meditation, we discern God’s will.

 [__02__]    In Catholic Church circles to speak of being “called”  and knowing one’s “vocation”.  As a child, I noted a prayer for this theme and asked “why is there a prayer for VACATIONS?”

          It’s “vocation” …not “vacation”. (I was quickly corrected).

          I still was in the dark! Ok, so what’s a vocation?

          A vocation – is this      

idea of being called by God , we designate this especially – articulate this especially – for those who are officially religious and members of the clergy – religious sisters –, religious brothers and priests.

          Is there any similarity between being religious in this way, or just living as a disciple of Jesus Christ and being married, in the sacrament of matrimony?

          One similarity is that all of the above – a bride, a groom, a sister, a brother, a priest – all take vows, make promises before God in church. Likewise, promises in the profession of faith are made by parents and godparents for children being baptized.  All of the above are called. All of us – you and me – are called by God.

 

 [__03_]   The common denominator in every vocation—whether as a bride, groom, priest, or religious—is the need to look, listen, and discern God’s will amid life's distractions. This listening isn't just for special occasions like weddings but is a daily practice. God’s call is ongoing, asking for our attention in both joyful and challenging moments.

 

[__04_]     Regarding a “vocation” or a calling, people sometimes ask me when I knew I wanted to be a priest.

Part of this journey was understanding not what I wanted but God wanted of me. Would I participate?

          I myself became gradually aware of this, and entered the years after college graduation. Typically, priests have a college degree and then 4 years of theological studies. I thought about this for several years starting around age 30 and entered seminary at age 35.

          Even while entering the seminary, I knew there was no guarantee I would discover this as my calling, but I was going to give it a try. I left my job in New York City which was perhaps the biggest change / step for me as these studies were full-time on campus at Seton Hall University in South Orange.

          But, I always figured I could get another job if things did not work out.

          In the first full week of my first semester, on a Tuesday, a classmate walked into the classroom and said a plane had just crashed into the World Trade Center. It was 9/11/2001. Witnessing this, I shared in the mourning and devastation, but also wondered [in a self reflective way] – did the world just change in a dramatic way such that I cannot go back to NYC. It was an early moment of reckoning, one that I  had not planned on.

 

[__05_]         There may be events- or may have been events that happened to you – in the days leading up to or the days following your own commitment to marriage, to family, events outside your control – in which you wonder, what to do next?

 

 

[__06_]       In these moments of uncertainty, we are called to ask, “Where is this relationship going?” This question applies to both religious life and marriage. It’s about cooperating with God’s grace, which He freely gives to help us grow and flourish, despite our unworthiness.

[__07_]        For those of you who are married, the question remains: where is your marriage headed? We are all called to navigate conflicts—whether personal, political, or global—with grace and patience. Reflecting on 9/11, I now realize how fortunate I was to be in seminary rather than enduring the long-term aftermath in NYC. At the time, I felt like I was missing out, but in retrospect, I see how I was sheltered and spared.

 

 

[__08_]      Today’s Gospel reminds us of God’s invitation to a lifelong commitment, much like marriage. Peter Kreeft, a professor at Boston College, writes that matrimony models enduring love. The greatest joys of love, he notes, often come later in life, after years of shared experiences and God’s grace.

 

          For example, as grown-up children, can we not delight in and enjoy our parents in older years in a way that we could not or did not when everyone was younger and stronger and apparently better looking?

          This is our Profession of Faith, credo, leading us to heaven and reminding us that our greatest joys are not here on earth but in heaven and part of our journey is not just to store up treasure for withdrawal in heaven later, but also to deposit and invest in relationships now so that we can be there for each other in the bad times as well as the good.

 

[__09_]       A 2015 [New York Times] article explored the idea of how love develops through shared vulnerability. The author recounted a psychological method and experiment in the article “To fall in love with anyone do this”.

The psychological study was designed to create romantic love in a controlled scientific setting of 36 questions answered by strangers to each other. Then, the writer had her own experience trying the 36 questions.

So the procedure is fairly simple. 2 strangers take turns asking each other 36 increasingly personal questions, and then they stare into each other's eyes without speaking for 4 minutes.

She also heard that that was the rumor that 2 of the participants had gotten engaged and married and they'd invited the entire lab to the ceremony! Sound romantic?

She herself was so intrigued that she did the study with someone and – guess what – fell in love.

          But her central point that now she had answered all the questions, fallen in love, she and her future spouse would have to answer  a new and important question.

          She made a video about this called “Falling In Love is The Easy Part”.

          The question is not “do I love you” … ”do I like you”… because the questions are often distorted by our moods and wavering tastes and distastes for the how the other person looks to me, or what the other person says. Or, how I look or what I see.

(https://www.ted.com/talks/mandy_len_catron_falling_in_love_is_the_easy_part?subtitle=en)

          Yes, the do-I-love-you question remains but another fundamental question emerges: “do I choose you?”

          And,what other people or projects must I put aside in order to choose you each day?

          This does not just apply to those who are married. What about the person causing us difficulty? Can we not just love the person from a distance, but also choose to love, choose to pray for, choose kindness …

 

[__10_]        Are you in happy relationship? A happy marriage ? Are you going through a rough patch?

          Based on this biblical verse and message about ancient “permissions” for divorce, are you thinking about what it would be like to be NOT married …

          You and I – in whatever vocation or calling we are in – is to consecrate ourselves to God, to pray for strength and also to pray for the strength not only to love with emotion but to choose with real intention – for me to choose the ministry of being a priest each day, for you to choose the Christian mission of discipleship in being a sister, brother, son, daughter, a wife or husband, father, or mother.

          Choose, because God has also chosen you.

          As we read in the 139^th psalm:

“LORD, you have probed me, you know me: you know when I sit and stand; … You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, because I am wonderfully made;

wonderful are your works! My very self you know.” (Psalm 139: 1, 13, 14)

          These verses also inform our understanding and respect for the sanctity of life at all stages, including the unborn child, the terminally ill person. It is a profession of faith based on the essence and existence of a person, on a person’s inherent value.

          Human respect is built on this sense of inherent value which is the foundation of true civil rights and liberty.

 

[__11_]        Years ago, a friend told me of his continued visits to his terminally ill mother who – over the years – had lost the ability to recognize him or any family member by name. She did not know who he was.

          He told me, “I don’t go because she knows who I am. I go because I know who she is.”

          It is part of living out our calling by God to recognize who others are – even when – especially when – we are troubled by what they are doing or not doing.

          Jesus, in his calling marriage covenant to you and me gave up his life not because we recognized him and waited for him.  He died also for those who did not know what they were doing or he was.

          But still he know who they were, who they could be.

          He knows who I am.

          He knows you are .

          Love is all of the above.  Repent and believe in the Gospel (Mark 1:15)  [__fin__]   

Proportion/Rescue (2024-09-29, Sunday -26)

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Homily – Sept.  29, 2024  /  26^th Sunday (Year B)  ●    ●   Psalm ___ ● ●  + Mark 9:38-48  ●

Title:  Proportion (Mark 9:38-48)

[00] Hurricane Helene 2024

In the southeastern United States, countless first responders—firefighters, police, EMTs—have been working tirelessly to save lives from the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene. Among them was a meteorologist in Atlanta, who, while covering the story, saw a woman trapped in her car. He put down his microphone and performed a life-saving rescue. Though not an official EMT, he is rightly hailed as a hero.

In emergencies like this, we need all hands on deck. Everyone has a role in promoting safety, whether it's saving lives directly or simply staying off the roads when advised. Even "sheltering in place" can be a heroic choice.

 [01] The Disciples' Perspective

 In today's Gospel, we see a similar discussion among the disciples about who is truly doing God's work. They complain to Jesus about someone who was casting out demons in His name but wasn’t part of their group. They tried to stop him, thinking he was unqualified.

Jesus corrects them, saying, “Do not prevent him … whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:39-40). Much like the meteorologist, this unofficial exorcist was doing good, even if he wasn’t part of the official group of disciples. Jesus' message is clear: the goal isn’t who gets credit, but that God's work is being done.  

Of course, the meteorologist turned rescuer in Atlanta will be celebrated as an unofficial EMT/firefighter. And in no way does this diminish the work of the official EMT and firefighters.

[__02_] Because the target and goal is not to for the rescuers to get credit statistically for lives saved … but simply for lives to be saved.

It is true - in the sense of the Church and our sacraments of Baptism, Confession, Holy Communion that  you and I are bound by these sacraments to follow them, to invite others to follow them. However, God is not bound by these sacraments. God may save others by His own methods unbeknownst to

us. I bring this up because Jesus follows up this Gospel with a stern warning about salvation, heaven and hell and judgment.

          In this regard, I just encourage you not to despair of your salvation or the salvation of others but to continue to pray and fast and give charitably for the salvation of both the living and  dead.

          Even if there is someone who died last week, last year, or years ago, you and I can still pray for him or her, to pray that as she or he fell into death that there was a moment of final  repentance.

          And,  this message of repentnace applies to us…

 [__03__] Jesus, in Gospel today, tells us what we do not want to hear, but also gives us solutions that need to be understood in our own context.

There is a a real  possibility that some us could be so far from God, so explicitly rejecting God that we would not enter heaven.

Also, he is telling us that we are responsible  by our words and actions - in  what we do and what we avoid doing - to help others by our example.

“he who causes one  of these little ones to sin, it would better for him to have a millstone tied around his neck and he be cast into the sea.”

It is an image that is unforgettable.

 But, do we not tune in for the broadcasting of many "danger" messages in the news media that are also hard to dismiss?  These messages include warnings from meteorologists, from political reporters, from others that are also meant to shake us up, to change our ways - to keep us away from the flood, from fire, from danger, from highway accidents – all of these are given to keep us safe.  

The Lord also wants to keep us safe in heaven and on earth and give us some solutions…

[__04__]  Have you ever heard this Gospel about the body and thought it outdated or irrelevant to modern times?

It’s important to clarify that Jesus' use of bodily metaphors is not advocating self-harm. We live in a world where people struggle with issues like self-harm, and the Gospel does not promote such actions.

[__05__]  Nevertheless, when Jesus speaks of the hand, foot, or eye, He urges us to meet the **offenses** of temptation and sin with proportional **defenses**. For example, Jesus was fully obedient to God, modeling the perfect response to sin. Even before enduring the cross, He submitted to the divine will of God. This serves as a model for us: to be defensively obedient, not only when it's convenient but also when it's difficult.

 

[__06__]   **Feet/Motivation** 

First, let's consider **feet** and motivation. Have you ever woken up highly motivated, excited for the day ahead? On other days, though, you might lack that same drive. This reflects our sinfulness — we’re motivated when things go our way, but not when life challenges us.

As Psalm 119 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” However, it’s easy to follow paths motivated by personal desires rather than God’s guidance. Sometimes, we walk with people—either in person or online—who are not good for us, leading us to places we shouldn’t go. Jesus teaches us that it’s better to lose those negative motivations than to keep them and end up in a bad place.

 [__07__]   **Hands/What We Generate** 

Second, Jesus speaks about the **hand**—what we generate through our actions. We can be very proud of what we accomplish with our hands: work, emails, projects. It’s easy to take credit for everything we generate, forgetting to thank God for our abilities. The Gospel invites us to detach from pride in our work and give thanks to God for His gifts.

Jesus doesn’t want us to lose our hands but rather to use them to give glory to God. Sometimes, we need to cut off our attachment to what we generate to avoid the sin of pride. Giving credit where it's due—both to God and others—is key to healing and standing firm against temptation.

 [__08__]  **Eye/Imagination**   Finally, Jesus talks about the **eye**, representing our **imagination** and vision. What we look at shapes our thoughts and desires. Often, our gaze leads us into temptation, whether through greed, vanity, or lust. We can be overly focused on material possessions or wealth, and these obsessions take control of us.

It’s not about disfiguring the eye but about refocusing our vision. Our excessive attachment to worldly desires or opinions can lead us astray. Today, electronic devices amplify this temptation. Our phones, tablets, and computers constantly flood us with images and ideas that can deform our imagination.

To young adults especially: you’re at a stage where your imagination is highly influenced by the media you consume. While the Gospel is a defense, so is your family. I encourage you to disconnect from your devices every night—not just switching to airplane mode but fully removing them for hours. A proportional response to temptation requires radical action, such as handing over your phone to a parent overnight to ensure you rest well.

[__Conclusion__]   Jesus’ message is not an ancient code irrelevant to our modern lives. It's a call to reflect on what motivates us, what we generate, and what we imagine. Are we motivated by things of God? Are we focused on personal achievement and productivity, or do we give thanks to God? Our imagination can lead us astray, but by keeping our hearts centered on God’s word, we find true peace. So that we might shelter in the right place both in heaven and on earth. As St. Augustine wrote in the Confessions of his faith, your faith, my faith and our need for connection to God: “Our hearts are restless until they rest in thee.”

Humility / Greatness / Carlo Acutis (2024-09-22, Sunday - 25)

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25^th 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.

 [__01__]    Humility and Humanity

  “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__]