25 Sunday B
September 20, 2015
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale was one of the most sought after speakers of the 20th century. His good friend Robert Schuler invited him to speak at the Crystal Cathedral. Dr. Schuler came out to introduce Dr. Peale and began by saying: "I want to introduce you to the most dynamic person you will ever meet in your life. He is exciting and positive. He can reach down inside of you more deeply than anyone else you have ever known before. He will give you self-confidence and courage, and a whole lot of other things you have always wanted in your life but have not had." Dr. Peale was astounded. He had never been introduced like this before. Hewas thinking, “How am I going to respond to this type of introduction?” As he was trying to think of some response, he heard Dr. Schuler continue: "The person of whom I am speaking, of course, is Jesus Christ. And here to tell you about Him is my friend, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale."
Like Dr. Peale, the disciples on the road began to get caught up in illusions of their on grandeur arguing among themselves about who was the greatest. And Jesus says, “The greatest in the kingdom of God will be the last of all and servant of all.”
St. Augustine is famous for stating that the 3 most important things in the spiritual life are: Humility, humility, humility.
What does it mean to be humble? So often we mistakenly think – humility means we beat ourselves up or think bad about ourselves. This is not humility.
The word humility comes from the Latin word “humus,” which means “of the earth.” We use that expression, “a humble person is down to earth.” What do we mean by this? They’re not living in the clouds. They’re not living in their own little fantasy world. They’re down to earth. They’re in touch with reality. To be humble means to live in the truth.
I want to speak today about how we show humility in our relationship with God and how we show humility in relationship with others.
First we are called to be humble before God. What does it mean to live in the truth regarding our relationship with God? Jesus says in John’s gospel, apart from me you can do nothing. God is sustaining our lives with every breath we take. Being humble before God means I realize my total dependence upon the Lord. Prayer then is an act of humility. Coming to Mass is an act of humility. We admit here thatapart from the Eucharist I’m weak. I need to be nourished.
Admitting before God that I’m a sinner is an act of humility. If I don’t recognize that I’m a sinner, then why do I need a savior? Going to confession is an act of humility. When I go to confession I’m living in the truth: Lord, I’m a sinner – I need your forgiveness and grace in my life.
Here’s another act of humility before God: to continue our on-going reading and learning about the faith. This is an act of humility: to admit I don’t know everything, that I need to continue learning about God!
What about being humble in our relationship with others? Do you know the story of Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s? Dave was adopted as achild. He never finished high school. In his book, Well Done: the Common Guy's guide to Everyday Success, Dave said he got his MBA long before his G.E.D. Hesays he has a photograph of himself in his MBA graduation outfit--a snazzyknee-length work apron wielding a mop and a plastic bucket. At Wendy’s he said MBA doesn’t mean Master of Business Administration, it means Mop Bucket Attitude. It means a commitment toservice. Dave Thomas, even as CEO, believed there was no job beneath him – not even moping a floor.
This is the humble attitude of the disciple of Jesus – to be the last of all and servant of all. A humble person doesn’t view himself or herself as above others, or better than others. Rather, like Dave Thomas there is no job too lowly for the follower of Christ.
Here’s the amazing news – God isn’t asking us to do something that he himself isn’t willing to do. God humbled himself to take upon our human nature and washed our feet. God Almighty humbled himself to serve us, and that’s what we are called to do for each other now.
There are so many ways we can practice this humility: by listening to others, showing understanding, avoiding rash judgment, by not presuming the worst of others, by being patient, by letting others have their way, and the list goes on and on.
Jesus placed a child in their midst and said, “Whoever receives a child like this receives me.” A child in biblical times represented the lowest of society – one without rights or status. Being humble and living in the truth means we are called to see the dignity of the most vulnerable in our midst, the unborn, those with special needs, refugees and immigrants, the homeless, the poor, the sick. And in receiving them, we receive Jesus, we encounter the Lord.
If you want to be great, live in the truth not in the illusions of our own grandeur. Greatness involves falling to our knees before God. It means a willingness to pick up a mop. It means welcoming the child in our midst, those most in need and risking being shunned in a world that values glamour, fame, prestige, and power. It God’s kingdom it is the lowly who will be exalted.