It seems to be an ironic bit of information – but it is actually a divine principle, because Jesus said it – and he came to tell us what is what so we would have reliable and correct information with which to live our lives both individually and as a group: everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
And Jesus suggests that the best and easiest route to humility is to see ourselves primarily as we really are: sinners, in need of God's mercy (like the man in the Gospel passage)! We all sin to some degree – even daily – for we are still in this world and not yet "completely safe and free from harm" in the realm of peace and light that awaits us!
In the first reading we are reminded that true humility will make us want to see God as one who alone can truly give us mercy and bring us healing; for the scattered people of God of whom Hosea is referring needed mercy and healing; it was through their own willfulness and sinfulness that they were displaced and crushed in spirit. But – God told them through Hosea that he would bind up their wounds, and would revive them after three days (referring to the share in the promise of the resurrection of Jesus of which they would participate). And he tells them that what is most pleasing to him is loving care and concern for all their brothers and sisters and not sacrifice, knowledge of who God really is and what he is all about rather than burnt offerings.
Let us this day please God by seeking knowledge of him as he truly is, knowledge of his ways as they really are and not what we might want them to be, and by loving all of our brothers and sisters in the human family the best we possibly can!
Today, today if you hear the voice of the Lord, harden not your hearts!
No comments:
Post a Comment