Lenten Meditation

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Book 2 Chapter 2: On Humble Submission

“Do not be concerned about who is on your side or who is against you; just be sure that God is with you.”

We are called to submit our lives completely to God.  So what is a humble submission?  This is realizing that you cannot do anything without God our Father.  You cannot even take a breath unless God wills it.  One of the virtues that is developed out of submission is patience.  It is a lack of patience that causes us to lose our trust in God and fall away from Him.  Thomas a Kempis tells us to “be silent and endure for a while and you will experience the help of God.”  We must learn to work on God’s time and not our own.  Our lack of patience causes us to lose confidence in the only one who will stand by us always.  We must learn to give everything to God; we must learn to put all our woes in His hands.  But most importantly, we must trust that He will come to our aide, even if it takes longer than we like or not in the way we want.  We are called to humble ourselves. God never refuses the humble and contrite.  Humble people are always at peace with themselves and find comfort even when they are condemned by others.  But be careful of false humility which is born out of pride.  To declare publically that you are a humble servant of God is prideful.  It is by your actions, not by your words, that you are humble. If we are sad that people do not acknowledge our humility, we are being consumed by pride.  Pride is the same sin that caused Lucifer to fall from heaven and caused Adam and Eve to fall from grace.  “If you wish to reach the height of perfection, never think of yourself as being virtuous until you know sincerely in your heart that you are least of all.”  It is when you realize that you are least and are happy, you have found favor in God.

A Simple Prayer

My Dearest Father in Heaven, give me the strength to submit my life to you.

Allow me to take great joy when I am least among men.

It is in this position, that I am truly humble.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon