Whoever Humbles Himself by Peter Sonski (@29sonski)
Piety
“I fell prone as the glory of the LORD entered the temple” (Ezekiel 43:3-4).
“Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him” (Psalm 85:10).
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).
Study
The scribes and the Pharisees were “experts.” Scribes were knowledgeable of the written law and legal matters, while Pharisees were exponents of legal traditions, many of them oral (perhaps the Torah and the Talmud?). They were both opponents of Jesus however because he established himself up as a decisive interpreter of the law that both groups held dear.
In today’s reading from St. Matthew, Jesus pointed out the principal shortcoming of the scribes and Pharisees: pride. Foremost of the Seven Deadly Sins, it is the vice that brought low the angels. The fall of Lucifer (cf. Isaiah 14, and perhaps Ezekiel 28) is the outcome self-importance.
Jesus admonished the crowds and his disciples to shun worldly honors and to be cautious in giving others such honor as well.
“If God prefers humility it is not to debase us: humility is the necessary precondition for being lifted up again by Him, so as to experience the mercy that comes to fill our emptiness. The prayer of the arrogant does not reach God’s heart, but the humility of the wretched opens it up. God has a predilection for the humble and, encountering a humble heart, He opens His own fully.” (Pope Francis, General Audience, June 1, 2016)
Action
We’ve seen many high-placed figures fall from dignity in recent times. Are we apt to place too much admiration in people or positions? Are we inclined to place more worth in human rather than heavenly values?
Moreover, are we humble in our own right, cognizant of being earthly vessels (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:7)?
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