BEADS OF JOY 08-28-16
“He Who Humbles Himself”
©2016 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
My Friends,
Today’s Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-11 (He
Who Humbles Himself)
“One
Sabbath when he went to dine at the house of a ruler who belonged to the
Pharisees, they were watching him.
Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he marked how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, "When you are invited by anyone to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest a more eminent man than you be invited by him; and he who invited you both will come and say to you, `Give place to this man,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, `Friend, go up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Reflection:
I know the natural desire is always be first (in line, front row parking, at the cashier) oh wait for some at Mass we prefer sitting way in the back. Hmmm. Well today we will think about the preference of always being last. You know there is nothing wrong with putting ourselves last. I have shared a very insight wisdom many times, that sums up the Greatest Commandment: Jesus first. Others second. Self-last. It’s a very simply philosophy. Honestly it’s an easy practice in your everyday life, if you do your best to do it in all things. Okay, now you’re saying, “Jim, you were making sense till you just said that. How do I make “being last” a normal practice in my everyday life?” I am so glad you asked that… LOL
True humility is a characteristic you should desire to have within the legacy of who you are. True humility is not a pity party of poverty or you desiring to be in a better position in life. On the contrary, true humility is you being consumed with your attention on the needs of Others before your own needs. A humble person is never concerned about their own needs; their first thought is to help meet the needs of Others in need first. Being humble is by no means an interpretation of you being weak. Try being “humble” for 24 hours, it takes GREAT strength and GREAT self-control to shield your own selfish desires. I dare you! Once you do this daily, then weekly, monthly, yearly. It will become natural to you.
So how do you make humility a normal practice in your daily life? Simple! When you are in a parking lot, don’t rush to the front (of cause unless you need to because you have issues walking, even then you still can), but if you don’t -park further back. When you have to get in line to pay the cashier, let someone else in front of you; want a real challenge of humility let someone with a full wagon in front of you. Start holding the door open for Others. Start helping people anyway you can think of, their needs always first as you see them throughout your day. Believe me they are there. So is that enough homework to start for now? I hope so. If you really focus on just that you will be very busy putting Others before yourself and your humble life will begin. See you all tomorrow.
LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!
Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
