Humility leads to gratitude

 

In my younger years, I was a Boy Scout knowing all the things I needed to do to move to the next rank.  I was proud of my accomplishments much like the Pharisee in Luke’s gospel, bragging about his behavior (Luke 18:9-14).  The Pharisees taught that following God’s law meant one was doing God’s will.  Following the law perfectly meant fulfilling God’s will perfectly, which meant one was closer to God. 

The tax collector worked for the occupying forces of Rome and was considered a traitor.  Tax collectors were hated by the Jewish population.  The tax collector stood at a distance from the Temple offering his broken heart to God asking for mercy.   The Pharisee attempted to justify himself by what he did. 

During my reflection today, the following questions came to me:  Am I like the Pharisee; self-centered making lists or counting prayers to impress God?  Or am I more like the tax collector—focusing on my relationship with God?  The book of Hosea instructs us: “Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD; as certain as the dawn is coming, and his judgment shines forth like the light of day HE will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth.” (Hosea 6:1-6)

In the letters of St. Paul, it seems at times that he’s bragging about his greatness.  But then he admits that it’s all a gift. “What do you (and I) have that you (and I) did not receive?”  (1Corinthians 4:7).  Humility leads right into gratitude.

Humility doesn’t shroud our gifts or suppress our talents.  Humility doesn’t deny our abilities or demean our individuality.  Humility doesn’t make us invisible, inferior, or indifferent.

Instead, humility frees us from the fear of being noticed.  We are who we are.  Humility frees us from the anxiety of performance.  We do the best we can.  Humility frees us from the stress of people pleasing.  We no longer need the approval of others.  Humility frees us from the need to control our world.  We know the outcome is not in our power.

Humility frees us from the need to be right.  We accept our limits.  Humility frees us from the fluster we feel for well-deserved praise.  We used the gifts we were given.  Humility frees us to be ourselves—at our best under all circumstances.  Once we know the truth, that all good things come from God, we live in liberty.

As any Boy Scout knows; ‘Be prepared’.  “The one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14).  And God will be praised.