God makes Himself so accessible to us.
God is not “untouchable” as would be a blazing fire or a terrible storm, nor is He found “disagreeable” as would be gloomy darkness, a harsh trumpet blast, or words that are so difficult for us to take in that we beg the presenter to stop speaking his message.
“No, you have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem….and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant…” And Jesus…
The Heart of the Father willed to send His only-begotten Son into the world, taking on our humanity, in order to raise us up to His divinity. “He became what we are that we might become what he is” (St. Athanasius). This is the greatest act of loving humility.
Humility. This Sunday’s readings are dripping with this theme, permeated by the Lord Jesus’ sweet and gentle invitation to be like Himself. It is a theme, a virtue in fact, over which we might feel a bit uncomfortable, because pride has its ways in us and we rebel. Perhaps we give others too much authority over us by thinking too much about what they think of us or what they say about us. Perhaps we find it difficult to submit our wills and desires before others’. As we battle to fight off those stubborn ways that pride gnaws at us, we would do well to keep in mind the real meaning of humility (from St. Thomas Aquinas): recognizing our true place in relation to God and others, acknowledging that everything comes as a gift from God, and keeping our desires for praise and personal achievement in proper moderation to serve God and neighbor.
Humility is seeing ourselves in truth, as we really are before God, which is as God sees us. The Lord explains to St. Catherine of Siena in similar vein in the Dialogue: “You are she who is not, and I am He who is.”
When I was a younger sister in my earlier years of initial formation, I remember one particular time when I was utterly humiliated. I don’t recall any details of what had happened to me, but I do remember sitting with Jesus during Adoration and receiving a big grace from Him that brought peace and understanding. In one instant, the Lord had me understand just how beautiful humility is—how beautiful it is to be little, imperfect, contrite for my shortcomings, to say “I’m sorry,” acknowledging my weaknesses before others… In a word, to admit my littleness before God. God is so humble to come as one of us, and even more to leave Himself as perpetual Gift to us in the Eucharist! The Blessed Sacrament is (even daily) the most climactic moment of our God’s accessibility and availability to us!
Dear Lord, please help me every day to grow in knowing and seeing myself as You do. Let me be okay to be little and take the lowest place, trusting that You will never forget me. You are always thinking of me. Let me grow in humility which draws me into being ever more closely configured to You! Amen!
