As I try to navigate through the technological wasteland, it is difficult to see examples of humility as I am bombarded by snippets of politicians looking for name recognition and “influencers” looking to grow their fame. Something is missing…and I believe that one of many things that are absent is humility to something bigger than the individual.
As I continue to reorient my life to God’s message amidst a hectic world, the Psalms and Zephaniah offered a different perspective at what God wants from us through His Sacred Scripture in today’s readings. Zephaniah speaks to us of an end of times, but at this end, we will be in a place left with hope. “For I will leave in the midst of you a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord,” Zephaniah 3:12. Why would God want humble and lowly people?
Does He not want us to do good things? The Lord does, but He wants us to be humble in our endeavors, acknowledging that any good we do is through Him and the gifts we receive from Him. The Psalms offer this - “My soul makes it boast in the Lord. Let the humble hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me and exalt in his name together,” Psalms 34:2. We are only what we are because of Him.
Jesus, please help me to embrace your gifts, and let them speak of the lessons you showed us during your time on Earth. You showed us humility as you came to us as God and man. Guide our community’s actions to show You are the way, the truth, and the life. Through our communal actions we will see that we are not alone in our struggle to turn away from sin and be faithful to You. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Eric Zielen-Ersing is a member of the U.S. Air Force and helps to teach sophomores Religious Education at Holy Family. He is blessed to be a husband and a father of two working to raise his children to serve in the mission of the Lord.