40acts: Ready to ActSample

Sunday Reflection

Pride leads us to think we are worth more than others. 40acts takes us back to what Jesus identified as the greatest commandments: to love God and to love our neighbours as ourselves. Humility enables us to serve others and to care for needs beyond our own. We don’t need to wait for painful circumstances to humble us; Proverbs shows us how, with God’s help, we can develop humility as a mark of character. Here are three ways from today’s reading.

Firstly, we can deepen our knowledge of God. An ant who has even an inkling of the size of a human is going to realise it is small by comparison. Likewise, to grasp anything of God’s majesty is to see ourselves in scale. Humility is the only response to seeing our place in the grand scheme of things, and it leads to a respectful fear of God (15:33).

Secondly, we can seek out the oppressed and avoid the proud (16:19). Jean Vanier founded the L’Arche communities on the basis of total equality and mutual respect between those with and without mental disabilities. In his book Community and Growth he wrote, ’If we are to grow in love, the prisons of our egoism must be unlocked. This implies suffering, constant effort and repeated choices.’ In the presence of the vulnerable and oppressed, we are confronted by our common humanity and our own weakness. 

Thirdly, we can put humility into practice until it comes naturally. Proverbs 25:6 illustrates this by suggesting you don’t push yourself forward in royal company, risking a public put down. Hang back, and maybe the king will call you forward (25:7). Humble behaviour is not far behind true humility.