Sr. Bincy Thumpanathu CMC
READING: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name (Philippians 2:3-9).
REFLECTION: St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians chapter 2 highlights the theme of humility through the example of Jesus Christ. His willingness to obey God the Father, even to the level of crucifixion is offered as the ultimate example this humility. Humility is becoming a lost virtue in the modern world. Often, we are so focused on ourselves that we forget to think about others and to treat them as we would like them to treat us. Humility can be regarded as the golden rule of Christian life, because, Christ, the Lord himself emptied and humbled for the humanity. Even though he was equal with God, he did not consider equality with God something for his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
As it is evident, Jesus is contrasted with the first man Adam. Adam, being in the form or image of God attempted to grasp equality with God and by his pride fell down. By contrast, Jesus through his humility was raised up by God to the divine glory. Adam sought illegitimately to be like God, but Jesus humbled himself even to the level of death on the cross. As followers of Christ, we are encouraged to walk on the same path of humility which Christ walked. To be humble is to be free from one’s own ego. Scripture gives helpful examples of humility; Mother Mary at the Annunciation, humbles herself and said ‘yes’ to God’s will. Joseph also lowers himself and said ‘yes’ to God and took the great responsibility upon his shoulders.
In this passage we discover the means to practice humility: “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Phil 2:3). Paul advocates a mindset that seeks to give up one’s personal wants and rights out of concern for the benefit of others. Indeed, he starts breaking down exactly what humility is by indicating what it is not. Humility is not selfish ambition. Neither is operating out of vain conceit. The way of the world proposes the way of vanity, pride and egotism. But Jesus taught his disciples that the greatest of them would be the lowest and to serve one another as he served them. Being a Christian does not mean our own wants and needs are unimportant, but humility helps Christians ensure that they are prioritizing other people, not just themselves. This Holy week, which leads us to Easter, invites us in a special manner to embrace this humble path of Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, meek and humble of heart, deliver us from the desire of being extolled and esteemed; from the desire of being approved and praised. Restrain our thoughts, Lord, so that we do not wander amid the vanities of this world. Help us to hear your promptings clearly; for we do not want to walk by pride or arrogance, we want to walk with you in the path of humility.
CONTEMPLATION: Let your soul slowly be calmed. Experience the inner freedom and peace deep within your heart. Hear the tender voice of the Lord who speaks through the Scripture. In Micah 6:8, we read, “O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” As the followers of Christ, we are urged to follow Lord’s way, which simply means developing the quality of humility. Take few moments to meditate, how Christ emptied himself and embraced the path of humility and get moved.
ACTION: – Be willing to admit our own imperfections
– Laying aside ego, and value the opinion of others
