September 28, 2020

Lk 9:46-50

An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.” 

John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you.”

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Praying for humility

Who is the GOAT (Greatest of All Time)?

It feels like this question is asked again and again in our daily lives causing some of us to sadly “compare and despair” or to believe “our own press” and our status. 

Jesus reminds us that to follow him we need to have the openness and humility of a child.

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola asks us to prayerfully reflect on three kinds of humility based on the First Principle and Foundation.

• The first kind of humility is to pray for the desire to first and foremost do God’s will.
• The second kind of humility is to pray for the spiritual indifference/freedom (to not desire one thing over another such as health over sickness) to do God’s will.
• The third kind of humility is to pray for the desire to pursue freely that which causes self- sacrifice to do God’s will and be closer to the suffering of Jesus.

—Dr. Sajit U. Kabadi is the Assistant Principal for Mission, Ministry, and Diversity at Regis Jesuit High School in Colorado.

Prayer

Lord, may we pray in Mary’s words: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

—Lk 1:38