"Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan
and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days..."
These lines remind us of Jesus' baptism at the Jordan when the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus and the Voice of God the Father was heard saying, "This is my son in whom I am well pleased." The Spirit then brings him to the desert where he is tempted.
We are all temped every one of us, even once we are baptized. We are given the fruits of the Spirit to help us in our life's journeys. What are these gifts from God that we should be aware of and be comfortable employing in face of temptations and life's troubles? They are wisdom, understanding, fortitude, counsel, knowledge, piety, and fear/awe of the Lord. These gifts can help us so much. They helped Jesus in the temptations in the desert. These gifts of the Holy Spirit helped to lead Jesus our of the desert. They help us too in our tough times. When we lose our pride and ask God for help, that is when we can be led by the Spirit the best.
We are called to conversion and our Lenten journey should help us there. Let the Spirit guide you in his love and mercy, through acts of kindness and charity toward others.
Showing posts with label pride. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pride. Show all posts
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Matthew 11:11-15
In today's Gospel Matthew gives us a classic turning upside down of the norm. Paraphrasing, Jesus says that none born is greater than John the Baptist, in the paradigm shift, he says the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than John. What is Jesus driving at?
What he says is truly humbling all the way around. Why should we let our pride get the best of us? John the Baptist was a prophet who wandered the desert eating wild honey and locust before he was jailed and beheaded. The least in the kingdom would be born in a cave without a home, would serve others with mercy and love for all, would be arrested in hate, scourged, tormented while forced to carry the beam and finally crucified among jeers. The least was greater than John the Baptist. He was greatest in obedience and patience through his love and mercy. We are called to let go our pride as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. When we do things for others are we truly doing it out of love and mercy, or is it merely our pride dressed up as mercy? St. Francis de Sales warned against the kind of pride that makes the poor "hate you for the very bread that you give them." Let us examine our hearts as we prepare for the coming of Christ.
What he says is truly humbling all the way around. Why should we let our pride get the best of us? John the Baptist was a prophet who wandered the desert eating wild honey and locust before he was jailed and beheaded. The least in the kingdom would be born in a cave without a home, would serve others with mercy and love for all, would be arrested in hate, scourged, tormented while forced to carry the beam and finally crucified among jeers. The least was greater than John the Baptist. He was greatest in obedience and patience through his love and mercy. We are called to let go our pride as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. When we do things for others are we truly doing it out of love and mercy, or is it merely our pride dressed up as mercy? St. Francis de Sales warned against the kind of pride that makes the poor "hate you for the very bread that you give them." Let us examine our hearts as we prepare for the coming of Christ.
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