Dear Parishioners and Friends,
It’s hard to believe this is Labor Day weekend! Once again the summer season has flown by, students are back in school, and life marches on at a frenetic pace.
For better or for worse – depending on your preference – this summer has been relatively rain-free, and our weekends have been very enjoyable weatherwise. Remember those recent summers when it rained almost every weekend?
The readings this weekend speak to us about the virtue of humility. Of all of my personality traits, humility is the one I’m most proud of. Or so goes the old joke. Humility is a tough thing to master, to attain and maintain. Ask anyone for a definition of humility and they may have a tough time putting it into words. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as “freedom from pride or arrogance.”
Sure, I think we can take pride in our accomplishments, certainly the accomplishments of our children or friends. But the kind of pride that puts us above others is the kind we must try to avoid completely. That’s why pride is traditionally considered one of the seven deadly sins. It’s what got the human race into trouble right from the beginning in the garden of Eden.
Humility, on the other hand, doesn’t come to us as easily and must be developed with patient discipline. Even Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel says “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” I think he understood that humility is a quality that takes time and effort to achieve.
As an antidote to the seven deadly sins (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, envy, wrath and pride), the Church has enumerated the seven capital virtues: chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, patience, and… humility. The more we try to practice these virtues in our lives, the more Christ-like we become.
As we try to counteract the growing sense of hopelessness that people feel in face of a society and government that seem to care so little about human dignity, let us not underestimate the power of some genuine, old-fashioned humility and kindness towards others, even at the worst of times.
Blessings on your week ahead!
Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M.
Pastor