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One Bread, One Body - Reflection for August 26, 2023

HUMBLE BE

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

Jesus repeatedly commands us to humble ourselves (Mt 23:12). We humble ourselves when we:

• "do everything and observe everything" rightful authorities tell us, even if these leaders are hypocrites (Mt 23:3),
• keep secret our works of mercy, if possible (Mt 6:4; 23:5),
• dress so as not to draw attention to ourselves (Mt 23:5),
• take the lowest place (Mt 23:6; Lk 14:10),
• repent and go to Confession,
• forgive,
• apologize,
• wash the feet of other Christians to serve them (Jn 13:14-15),
• "think humbly of others as superior" to ourselves (Phil 2:3),
• look "to others' interests rather than" to our own (Phil 2:4),
• are "poor in spirit" (Mt 5:3), that is, voluntarily choose to live below our means,
• empty ourselves (see Phil 2:7),
• decrease while Jesus increases (Jn 3:30),
• deny ourselves (Lk 9:23), and
• take up our cross daily (Lk 9:23).

"Seek justice, seek humility; perhaps you may be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger" (Zep 2:3). "You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: only to do right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God" (Mi 6:8). Humble yourselves (Mt 23:12).

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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