Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 29: Year 2
Morning, Psalm 137 and 144 ; Evening, Psalm 104;
Zechariah 14:12 to 21; Philippians 2:1 to11; Luke 19:41 to 48;
“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5 to 8)
If our Lord Jesus, being God Incarnate, was able to humble himself to be a servant (same word as slave in the Greek), then we, “normal” humans, ought to be able to at least have no illusions about any pretentious greatness we might think we have. And having no grandiose thoughts of self-righteousness, ought to practice all humility, all the time.
Humility is a funny thing. If we ever boast about it, it’s gone. We Christians must practice working in the background, out of sight, but in the faith. We should not bring attention to ourselves. We do the Lord’s work quietly. Our Lord Jesus, with all the power of Almighty God, restrained himself and worked in servitude for the benefit of believers. He even allowed himself to be handled and killed by us people whom he loved.
Full disclosure, I have sometimes insisted on being recognized or remembered for my participation in something when I thought my friends overlooked my involvement. Later, after reflection, I was ashamed of my insistence to be remembered. So I came up with the idea of the humility of invisibility. I’m still a work in progress but now it pretty much doesn’t bother me to not be remembered.
Our Lord Jesus had a huge job in trying to appear less than he was, given that He was Everything! For me, appearing less than I am is not such a hard job. I’m not that much to begin with. But if we are to have the same mind in us that was in Christ Jesus we should strive to be the hidden help that people need. And then, don’t remind or tell anybody. Your cool drink of water will be appreciated once their well runs dry.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Iran.
As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, and to serve, and then teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 