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One Bread, One Body - Reflection for August 23, 2008

HUMBLING EXPERIENCES

"Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." –Matthew 23:12

If we refuse to humble ourselves, the Lord will humble us. However, He prefers that we do it ourselves. We can humble ourselves by choosing to take up the daily cross (Lk 9:23). Here are several possibilities:

  1. choosing a lower material standard of life,
  2. choosing to live in a lowly place like Nazareth,
  3. choosing friends like the apostles,
  4. serving others in simple ways like washing their feet,
  5. speaking up for Jesus even when we'll be persecuted,
  6. remaining silent and not defending ourselves, and
  7. choosing a lower paying, less prestigious job.

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to the truth concerning these and other possibilities (Jn 16:13). Then, by faith in Jesus and secure in the Father's love, obey the Lord and make decisions that will result in your being humbled. The Lord will do the rest.

PRAYER: Father, by humility keep me in touch with reality.
PROMISE: "The voice said to me: Son of Man, this is where My throne shall be, this is where I will set the soles of My feet; here I will dwell among the Israelites forever." –Ez 43:7
PRAISE: St. Rose received God's grace in a remarkable way through bodily penance.

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Acknowledgement

Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:

· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College