26 August 2023 Only By Grace Reflections

First Reading: Ruth 2: 1-3, 8-11; 4: 13-17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 128: 1b-2, 3, 4, 5
Alleluia: Matthew 23: 9b, 10b
Gospel: Matthew 23: 1-12

Who doesn't desire the praise and respect of others? We want others to see us at our best with all our strengths and achievements - rather than at our worst with all our faults and shortcomings. God sees us as we truly are - sinners and beggars always in need of his mercy, help, and guidance. Jesus warned the scribes and Pharisees, the teachers and rulers of Israel, to teach and serve their people with humility and sincerity rather than with pride and self-promotion. In their misguided zeal for religion, they sought recognition and honor for themselves rather than for God. They made the practice of their faith a burden rather than a joy for the people they were supposed to serve. True respect for God inclines us to humble ourselves and submit to his wisdom and guidance. We cannot be taught by God unless we first learn to listen to his word, and they obey his instructions.

Respect for God and for his ways inclines us to humility and to simplicity of heart ⏤ the willing readiness to seek the one true good who is God himself. What is the nature of true humility and why should we embrace it as essential for our lives? True humility is not feeling bad about yourself, or having a low opinion of yourself, or thinking of yourself as inferior to all others. True humility frees us from preoccupation with ourselves, whereas a low self-opinion tends to focus our attention on ourselves. Humility is truth in self-understanding and truth in action. Do you know the joy of Christ-like humility and simplicity of heart?

This is the 1219th installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing