“Whoever becomes humble like this child….” (Mt 18:4) The world seems to thrive on big things like grandeur, arrogance and pride. Humility is pushed into the background. Yet in today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches a different way. He shows that true greatness is derived not from position or what we acquire but rather from something as simple as humility. The focus reminds us that in his kingdom it is humility and simplicity- being likes a child – that is the mark of true greatness. There is no better example of this than St Therese of Lisieux. She is considered one of the great saints of modern times, precisely because of the simplicity and practically of her living: ‘My eyes are not raised too high’. In the face of her littleness and nothingness she depended totally on God to strive for sanctity. Therese’s ‘little way’ of trusting in Jesus to make her holy, and her reliance on small daily sacrifices instead of great deeds, appealed to the people of her time who were trying to find holiness in daily life. She provided powerful support to priests and missionaries with just her prayers and sacrifices. Fittingly, in 1927, she was proclaimed the Patroness of the Missions. She is a reminder and consolation to all of us who feel we can do nothing: it is the little things that keep God’s kingdom growing! FRUIT: Depending on Jesus, let us try today to practice little virtues and thereby witness to our faith.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Oct 2013 06:19:33 +0000
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