Humility

A Reflection...

Matthew 6:1-6

"Take care! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, for then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give a gift to a beggar, don't shout about it as the hypocrites do -blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you in all earnestness, they will have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you do a kindness to someone, do it secretly -don't tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. And your Father who knows all secrets will reward you.

"And now about prayer. When you pray don't be like the hypocrites who pretend piety by praying publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. Truly, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, all alone, and shut the door behind you and pray to your Father secretly, and your Father, who knows your secrets, will reward you."

After reading this gospel, my first thought was humility. To do all things in a humble way, all prayer, all our actions. Many times, we face situations where we feel the need to explain ourselves. I think we can use these situations to strengthen virtues. Do not explain away our actions, just offer an apology and in quiet, look at ourselves, and determine how we could have handled the situation better.
Just like any athlete training to compete in an event, they need to strengthen their muscles. This is done through hard work and determination. You need to exercise in order to stimulate muscle growth. God works in a very similar manner with us. We cannot grow in a virtue, unless first it has been tested, worked and strengthened. If you pray for more patience, expect to face some very unpleasant and impatient moments ahead. In these situations be determined to handle them with humility, and patience. By doing so, over time, that virtue will be strengthened and give Glory to God through your hard work and determination.
I also believe one of the greatest acts of humility one can do is to examine ones conscience. To make known those times when we live in a way that would offend God. When we did not radiate love. Those times when we put another person in a dark light, even if what we were saying was true. We need to place others in Christ’s Light, not a light that makes others think less of that person. Everyone is made in God's image and likeness, we need to try harder to remember this, when dealing with these difficult situations, these temptations to talk ill of others. How many times in a day do we use God’s name in vain? This is a sin. When used in this manner, it is as if we are using it like a swear word. There are many times a day we sin. We need to seek God’s forgiveness, ask for His mercy. There is a gift God gave to us, that very few take advantage of. It is a sacrament of our church, the Sacrament of Reconciliation. How humbling a sacrament this is. "Therefore anyone who humbles himself as this little child, is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."(Matt. 18:4)
I had once heard, we do not go to confession to tell God what we have done - He already knows. We go so He can show us what we have done. It is through Christ’s divine mercy that we are able to do penance here on earth. Let us all take advantage of this wonderful gift He has given to us.