16th Sunday after Pentecost

Tomorrow is the 16th Sunday after Pentecost. Again we hear about the Pharisees and the sin of pride. That's one on the left. Jesus said: "...every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." The 'ME' generation is in big trouble, if you ask me. Those people who shout out, "look what I'm doing" in giving to the needy, so that the world will know what a kind-hearted and generous person they are. Jesus knows if you're doing it to save your soul or just to get publicity. Good luck with that! Our beloved Abbot Gueranger states it best concerning humbleness:

'But, above all, it is to the constant attitude and exercise of humility that he must especially direct his attention who would secure a prominent place in the divine feast of the nuptials. All saints are ambitious for future glory of this best kind; but they are well aware that, in order to win it, they must go low down, during the present life, into their own nothingness; the higher in the world to come, the lower in this. Until the great day dawn, when each one is to receive according to his works, we shall lose nothing by putting ourselves, meanwhile, below everybody. The position reserved for us in the kingdom of heaven depends not, in the least, either upon our thoughts about ourselves, or upon the judgment passed on us by other people; it depends solely on the will of God, who exalteth the humble, and bringeth down the mighty from their seat. Let us hearken to Ecclesiasticus. 'The greater thou art, the more humble thyself in all things, and thou shalt find grace before God; for great is the power of God alone, and He is honoured by the humble.' (Ecclus. iii.20,21) were it only, then, from a motive of self-interest, let us follow the advice of the Gospel, and, in all things, claim, as our own, the last place. Humility is not sterling, and canot please God, unless, to the lowly estimation we have of ourselves, we join an esteem for others, preventing everyone with honour, gladly yielding to all in matters which do not affect our conscience; and all this, from a deep-rooted conviction of our own misery and the reins and heart. The surest test of our humility before God, is that practical charity for our neighbor, which, in the several circumstances of everyday life, induces us, and without affectation, to give him the precedence over ourselves.'