Daily Prayers

Prayer is Love, I want to Love

Jesus’ Teaching On Humility

Jesus’ Life: Chapter 10 – Jesus’ Last Journey To Jerusalem

There are thousands of quotations about humility on the internet. Perhaps that’s an indication of how humble we are as a nation, or does it mean the opposite?

As I read some of the quotes, they seemed to range from words of simple logic to those I would expect from a very wise old Philosopher. Even the hilarious quotes had a human message. How about this: “On the highest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own behind.” (Michel de Montaigne)

Jesus told this Parable, probably to highlight the pride of many Pharisees at that time but also to teach all of us, the value of humility:

Humility quote

When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t take the top table because a more important person may have also been invited and embarrassingly, you will have to move to a lower place. Instead, choose a less important table so, when the host arrives, he will say, “Friend, move up here to a better place”.

Likewise, Jesus added, when you organise a dinner, do not invite your friends, brothers, relatives or rich neighbours. Instead, invite the poor, crippled, lame and blind. By doing so, you will be blessed as they cannot repay you; you will be repaid in the next world.

Jesus’ overriding message in this parable was that we should not be rude, self-appraising or despising to others; instead, be polite, kind and charitable for, “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted”. (Luke 14:7-14)

Thought

Here are some of Mother Teresa’s tips on how to behave:

St Mother Teresa in her traditional white with blue edge clothing.

Speak as little as possible of one’s self.
Mind one’s own business.
Do not try to manage other people’s affairs.
Avoid curiosity.
Accept contradictions and corrections cheerfully.
Pass over the mistakes of others.
Accept insults and injuries.
Accept being slighted, forgotten and disliked.
Be kind and gentle, even under provocation.
Never stand on one’s dignity.
Always choose the hardest option.

Reflection

Lord Jesus, nurture within me a humble spirit and use it to touch the lives of others. Amen.

Prayer: Humility (St Alphonsus Ligouri)

Most humble Jesus,
give me a share of your humility.
Take from my heart, everything that displeases you;
convert it totally to you,
so that I may no longer will or desire
anything other than what you will.