Easter Meditation

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Book 3 Chapter 4: We Should Walk before God in Truth and Humility

“My child, walk before Me in truth (1 Kings 2:4) and simplicity of heart – without pretense.”

It seems like the message from Thomas a Kempis always about humility.  “If you’re not humble, you’re not going to heaven.”  Why does God want us to be humble?  Why is this such an important character trait for me? Why can’t I be first some of the times?  Because humility is the opposite of Pride and Pride is the sin that causes Lucifer to fall.  In our own pride, we put ourself before God and others.  Christ tells us, “If you want be first, you must be last.” When we finally realize that it’s not about us, we begin to understand it’s all about serving others.  It is in this period that we realize that our earthly treasures become less important in our lives. What becomes most important is pleasing God by helping others.  Those who truly walk in humility are “shielded from the attacks of the evil one; and Truth shall free them from deceivers.”  If you think about the wisdom that is packed in that one little saying, you will begin to understand why we must be on our knees.  If we are truly humble, what can the devil do to temp us.  He temps us with things that we want or that we feel we need.  If we are truly humble, we need nothing.  There is nothing that Satan can temp us with.  Once we realize the truth in this saying, we are freed because we are no longer bound to the earth and its treasures.  We must be willing to ask God to let “His truth teach me and guide me, and lead me to eternal salvation.” Christ tells us that we must “think about our sins with great displeasure and deep sorrow in your heart.” We should never think of ourselves as being virtuous because we do good deeds.  We should only do “good deeds” because we are humble. Unfortunately, on our best day we are despicable.  In the movie Despicable Me, Gru, the evil scientist, begins out wanting everything, even the moon.  Eventually his heart is changed and realizes it’s not about him, but about the three little girls that are in his care.  He does not change overnight, but gradually.  Even in the end, he still has a little bit of the “despicable me” left in him, but his conversion is on the right tract.  We all resemble Gru to some degree.  It’s not until we realize that God is the most important thing in our lives that we will begin to change.  It’s not until we are willing to give up absolutely everything that we are on the right tract.  And it’s not until we are willing to sacrifice our life for another that we become truly humble. I hope and pray that each of you take the time to reflect back on the day to discover just how despicable you’ve been.  It’s not until you say “Oh despicable me” that your heart will begin to change.  Today, ask yourself, “How many times have I offended God and how grievous were those offenses.

A Simple Prayer

My Dear Lord in Heaven; Oh how despicable a person I am;

Please give me the wisdom to know my offenses; and

The courage to change my heart so all I think about is pleasing you.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon