“Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4 RSVCE.)
St. Paul exhorts us to follow the example of Jesus Christ and humble ourselves. Humility keeps us close to Christ. Humility helps us to hear God’s voice in daily life and to become aware of those around us—placed there by our God.
“He said also to the man who had invited him, ‘When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your kinsmen or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just’” (Luke 14:12-14).
We are to remember those people who are least, hurting, too-often forgotten and alone. God loves them and He wants us to love them too. Jesus teaches us above that it is a great blessing to be able to do so. But, humility is necessary, for in our pride we are unlikely to even notice them, much less love them.
This Advent, may we practice daily this humility and openness to the power of grace in our lives. May we be lights for Christ to those in need, sharing with them the love of the God of Mercy.
Editor’s note: Join us each day during Advent for a short reflection.
