"the one who is coming after me,whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.”
Jesus and St John the Baptist are now all grown up and the Ministry of St John the Baptist has started and Jesus' ministry is about to begin. John the Baptist, who said, "the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie” is known for his humility.
He has a place in scriptural history of being great. Not great in the world's sense of riches, admiration and social standing. But great in that he shows us the need for humility--humility that is needed to increase in love as adopted children of God (1)
How are we to follow St John the Baptist in his humility? Here are some of my thoughts: some borrowed from my parents, my husband, friends, coworkers, my teachers, priests, some borrowed from books or saints such as St Benedict and somehow evolving in a way that make them my own. Still evolving, yes.
Shun pride and exaltation
1. Fear of God: "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom". (Proverbs 9:10) We should love Him and be in awe of Him. St John the Baptist was His cousin, yet, he knew He was divine. Follow His law. Respect His priests. Pray for them.
2. Give up our will: Accept God's will without knowing it or knowing all. Next time let someone else tell you what to do ( as long as it is not bad) rather than have your way. Do His Will not yours. Deny yourself. Listen to others. Let others shine. Listen to the same story again without interruption.
3. Work with delight: let it be your sanctification. You were made to know God, love Him, serve Him and be happy with Him in heaven. Do your work well. Do someone else's chores, if you can, but don't let them know. Help someone with their load.
4. Obedience: Love the rules even when not easy to follow. Avoid duplicity-there should not be two different set of rules depending on who you are. Don't be a hypocrite and lend a blind eye to a situation. Listen to authority and know that Jesus, the Church and the priests are wiser than you. Don't follow the wrong dreams.
5. Embrace Suffering: just like Jesus. Don't sleep through, complain or grumble what God allows in your life. Remember the devil prowls around 24/7. Don't allow him any room in your life. Pray! Try eating last or the heel of the bread, give the last serving to another. Grumbling, gossiping, complaining spread unrest and separate friends without knowing what hit you. Always be grateful.
6. Patience: Love is patient and kind. Endure your love for one another: spouse, friends, priest and co workers will try our patience, our kindness and tempt us to anger. We should thank God for that situation and walk away from them. Return in such a time when you can return with love.
7. Forgiveness: Confess my sins, my bad thoughts, my faults at confession. Don't expect that you will work out the answer. Only the Holy Spirit who lives in you, can change your emotional reaction to something or someone. Ask Him over and over again for help. Visit with a spiritual advisor for advice. Be quick to forgive. Forgetting would not be wise because one must know how to avoid the bad situation again. Forgive anger, broken promises, being left out, etc. Repent and Forgive on a daily basis.
8. Perseverance: Be faithful, don't give up or walk away. St Basil the Great (one of our saints for today) said, " watch daily and hourly and stand prepared in that state of total responsiveness, pleasing to God, knowing that the Lord will come at an hour that he does not expect. " (3) Keep your eyes on the goal. Smile when you know there won't be a return smile.
9. Be content with lowliness: ask for blessings, act first if there is a problem, find joy in all situations. Be content in adversity. Everything is an opportunity to glorify God.
10. Pray in the morning, in the evening and if you can daily Mass and adoration. Examination of conscience in the evening and frequent confession.
How do you practice humility?
God Bless You
(1) The Rule of St Benedict and the Twelve Steps of Humility, chapter 7. (e book)
(2) Wetta, O.S.B., J Augustine, Humility Rules: St Benedict's Twelve-Step Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem, ebook
(3) Basil, The Morals 22, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, New Testament 3, p 214.
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