A Couple of Reflections on Humility

November 3rd, 2017 by Carl Buffington

From Sunday's gospel, Matthew 23.11-12.

 

"The greatest among you will be your servant.  For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

 

*From Mother Teresa:

 

*From Brennan Manning:

"The deeper we grow in the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the poorer we become - the more we realize that everything in life is a gift. The tenor of our lives becomes one of humble and joyful thanksgiving. Awareness of our poverty and ineptitude causes us to rejoice in the gift of being called out of darkness into wondrous light and translated into the kingdom of God's beloved Son."

The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat Up, and Burnt  Out

 

Who is someone you consider to be humble?

What is it about them that exhibits humility?

Are there times when you felt humbled?

 

Consider this incident:

During World War II, Winston Churchill was awarding the Victoria Cross to an Air Force sergeant who had climbed out onto the wing of his bomber with only a rope attached to his waist - while it was 13,000 feet in the air. His efforts saved both the plane and his fellow crew members.

At the ceremony, the soldier was so overwhelmed by Churchill's presence that he could barely speak. Churchill observed this and said, "You must be very humble and awkward in my presence," to which the sergeant replied, "Yes, sir."

Then the Prime Minister responded, "Then you can imagine how humble and awkward I feel in yours.

Blessings to You All!

Related

The Peddler Of Choices
June 4, 2016 In Friday Epistles, General, humility
Outside the Box (Part One)
September 4, 2015 In Friday Epistles, General, humility
Inside the Box (Part Two)
September 11, 2015 In Friday Epistles, General, humility

About this author:

Carl Buffington

Carl Buffington

Carl Buffington is a bishop in Anglican Mission International (AMI). He has been in ministry for over forty years. He lives in Florida with his wife Barb and their two golden retrievers, Sammy and Tilly.

Subscribe To Our Blog

Recent Posts

Categories

see all