Humble Ourselves Before God - Weekday Homily Video

Last night, I spoke with Father George Piggford, a Holy Cross priest and Stonehill professor, about how his love of literature and writing inspires his preaching. Over the years, Father George and I have compared notes on where we were going with our Sunday homilies and shared ideas. It’s been both helpful and insightful to see how God was working in each of our lives.

Now, after preaching for more than a few years, we agree that God uses our past, present, and interests to help us share the Good News of Jesus. Father George helps me remember and discover literary parallels and I provide him with sports analogies and stories of the interesting people I meet along the way in coffee shops and supermarkets.

In each reflection and prayer over the Mass readings there is the opportunity to hear the Word of God in a way that connects where we or others are right now. I can remember sitting in the pews in Quincy, Fall River, and countless other cities and towns, and suddenly, a verse from scripture would strike me.

Countless other people have shared the same experience of God speaking to them in a consoling or encouraging way, at times in a way that convicted them or urged them to act or, alternatively, to be patient.

Humility

Today’s first reading conveyed one key message for me: humility. It was most evident in the verses: “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” and “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

We all know that life can be humbling. Whether through the aging process, on the golf course, or when trying to set up a new laptop computer, and many more examples! But despite our humbling moments, we can still have pockets of pride that can lead us away from God and toward sin.

The disciples on the road with Jesus, right after his revelation that He would die and rise again, went from being unable to comprehend it, right to discussing who was the greatest among them.

It says that “they didn’t understand but were afraid to question Him.” It made me wonder: Were they afraid to show their lack of knowledge because they wanted to be known as the greatest? Were they concerned that if they asked, it would show a weakness, and then they’d lose the top place in Jesus’ eyes and those around them?

Pride

Jesus knew their weakness, and it was pride. They would never be able to follow the will of God, including leading others to Jesus, if they did not humble themselves before God and seek to serve rather than be served.

Notice that Jesus didn’t say they shouldn’t strive for holiness or settle for average lives. Jesus wants our full efforts directed to living in union with Him and serving others in His Name.

On this day, 19 years ago, I was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. I can remember being excited, nervous, and full of joy. I can tell you that being a priest is truly a gift for those who are called, but so is being a husband or wife, mother or father, or a committed single who consecrates their life to God.

We Need God's Help

In every person’s journey, we need to be humble before the Lord and admit when we don’t understand and when we need His help. This leads not only to our growth, but also to compassion and respect for those that God brings into our lives, beginning with the young and extending through the full journey of life to the most senior among us.

How is God calling us to grow in humility? What do we need to ask Him to help us with today?

• Today’s Readings

• Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.) 

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