TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,

and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.”

– Luke 14:11

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REFLECTION…

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We live in a society that has an extreme need

to hear this Gospel message of humility over and over again.

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Using others as stepping stones, without scruple;

being opportunistic and viciously competitive – to get to the top and be seen at the top.

Such ambition is universally condemned

but, unfortunately, is also universally practiced.

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Humility and unpretentiousness, when sincere and not false, conquer;

make those, who practice these virtues, loved;

make their presence desirable;

their opinion appreciated.

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Wherever genuine humility may get you in the short term,

it will get you to ‘the top’ – in the long term!

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True glory flees from those who seek it.

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True glory seeks those who flee from it.
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[from a reflection by Padre Raniero Cantalamessa]

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QUOTE…

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“Be modest in evaluating your merits,

allow others to do this instead

and already in this life God will lift you up.

He will lift you up in His grace;

He will make you rise in the ranks of Jesus’ friends and true disciples,

which is the only thing that really matters.”

– Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa

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PRAYER…

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Lord Jesus,

help me learn from You.

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Forgive me for when I felt

that I was ‘better than’ or ‘above’ others.

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My Lord and my God,

in the name of love and truth,

give me the strength and grace to be humble and unpretentious,

so that when I am called,

I may be blessed and exalted by You.

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Amen.

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