KykNET Lent Guide 2023Sample

Week 1: Humility

Day 6: Wandering on the Road

God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. Matthew 5:5 (NLT)

Jesus not only says that we should be humble, but that we should humble ourselves. This means that there are ways to practice and promote humility in our lives. In this week’s parable, there are three methods exemplified by the tax collector.

In the first place, he admits his sinfulness and dependence on God. He admits that he has chosen the wrong path and that he has depended on himself. This confession leads to the receiving of grace. The humble will receive grace, but the prideful will be resisted by God (1 Pet 5:5). Through His grace, I receive forgiveness. This enables me to forgive others. We often try to be good without first receiving the goodness and power of God.

Secondly, he did not compare himself to others. When we compare ourselves to others, we either become prideful or depressed, as there will always be those who are better than us (which makes us depressed) or worse than us (which makes us feel good). By not comparing ourselves, we become free of this cycle and this helps us not to try and earn our worth, but simply receive it as a gift from God.

Thirdly, he bows his head, pounds on his chest, and keeps his eyes downcast. He does not look down on others pridefully. He does not condemn anyone. He sees himself as one with everyone.

We have so much in common. We all have pain. We have all tried and failed. We all have something good in us – the image of God – and that is something to be celebrated. I can also see the uniqueness in others. Different to me, better in some aspects, and I thank the Lord for it.

Exercise:

Are there other ways in which you can be more humble today? Choose a way and at the end of the day, do a reflective prayer about it.

Repetition Prayer:

Oh God, have mercy on me, a sinner!