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Saturday, August 23, 2008

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St. Rose of Lima


Ezekiel 43:1-7
Psalm 85
Matthew 23:1-12

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humbling experiences

"Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." —Matthew 23:12

If we refuse to humble ourselves, the Lord will humble us. However, He prefers that we do it ourselves. We can humble ourselves by choosing to take up the daily cross (Lk 9:23). Here are several possibilities:

  1. choosing a lower material standard of life,
  2. choosing to live in a lowly place like Nazareth,
  3. choosing friends like the apostles,
  4. serving others in simple ways like washing their feet,
  5. speaking up for Jesus even when we'll be persecuted,
  6. remaining silent and not defending ourselves, and
  7. choosing a lower paying, less prestigious job.

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to the truth concerning these and other possibilities (Jn 16:13). Then, by faith in Jesus and secure in the Father's love, obey the Lord and make decisions that will result in your being humbled. The Lord will do the rest.

Prayer:  Father, by humility keep me in touch with reality.

Promise:  "The voice said to me: Son of Man, this is where My throne shall be, this is where I will set the soles of My feet; here I will dwell among the Israelites forever." —Ez 43:7

Praise:  St. Rose received God's grace in a remarkable way through bodily penance.

Reference:  (To help you grow in humility, read the Bible every day. We have several tape series to help you. Overview of the Bible is six audio tapes starting with AV 10A-1 or three video tapes starting with V-10A. 15-minute Bible Teaching - New Testament is forty audio tapes starting with #700. An Introduction to each Book of the Bible is 32 audio tapes starting with AV 21-1 or 17 video tapes starting with V-21.)

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 25, 2008

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