The call for humility

May 21, Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Christopher Magallanes, priest, and Companions, martyrs
Daily Readings: James 4:1-10; Mark 9:30-37

God reminds us to submit ourselves totally to Him so that we can resist the devil. God opposes the arrogant while bestowing grace on the humble.

In the Gospel, Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” He placed a child in their midst and said, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

The readings are an invitation for total surrender to God. If we surrender our lives to him, we are in good hands; God will take care of us. The invitation to total surrender is a call to humility, for God will bless the humble people. As stated in the Gospel, if we want to be the first, then we need to be the servant of all.

Oftentimes in our lives, we want to be number one. We want to always be number one, whether in the family, a group of friends, or even in the classroom. At times, we become very proud of ourselves.

Being proud of ourselves leads us to feel that we don't need others anymore; we don't need God anymore. We become too self-absorbed and overconfident, which sometimes allows the evil spirit to penetrate our lives.

Call to Action for Catholic Living:  God wants us to always be humble in everything that we do, as well as in whatever achievements we accomplish in life.  God wants us to recognize that everything comes from him; without him, we are nothing.

Lord, teach us to surrender to you, and give us the grace of humility. Amen.