Woe to me if I exalt myself! And behave as as if I were a God! The ways of the world shout out to me,” You shall bow before no one nor have you a need to bow at all!” Empty pride and sin had blinded me from acknowledging my creator, from encountering my Lord and my God. For when I humbled and prostrated myself before Him, He lifted me above three times high saying,”I am Your Father and You are my child.”
I have often reflected on the life of my Saviour Jesus Christ, on His wisdom, His teaching and His ways. And I have often pondered on my own relationship with my Lord, and my relationship with others. The one thing that really hit home and straight into my heart for which I always remain in awe and speechless is this….. If my Lord is willing with all His heart to get down on His knees to lovingly wash my feet, how can I do any less? For Him or for my brethren? How can I not serve Him and my brethren with that same love and humility?
Forgive me Lord for the times I have been proud, selfish and self centred. I humbly implore that You continue to love and guide me in Your ways, so that I may always be blessing to You and for others. Amen
FIRST READING
Ezekiel 43:1–7ab
GOSPEL
Matthew 23:1–12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
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