PRACTICING THE HUMILITY THAT WE PREACH - 8/20/22 (Memorial of Saint Bernard)

Matthew 23:2-7

“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.’”  

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082022.cfm

Blessed Memorial of Saint Bernard! It's true that it's wrong to impose unnecessary and unhelpful things on other people. At the same time, it is beneficial for us to reflect on what our Lord is teaching us about humility by looking at the examples of the Pharisees. Jesus Christ told the disciples that they were not practicing what they were preaching. As such, to be true followers of Christ, we should practice what we preach, especially on the virtue of humility. 

Why did the Pharisees tie up heaven burdens on many people that were hard to carry? It's not just because they hated them. Another reason was because of their pride. They were thinking that they were superior to other people. It's as if they were holy and different from the rest whom they perceived as sinners. This was one of the reasons why they desired to receive honor from other people and why they did not impose on themselves the difficult burden that they would impose on others. We may not have the same experiences with the Pharisees, but we can fall to the same temptations of pride. 

When we perform good works, we may have the desire to proclaim it to people, not because of our desire to see them doing good, but because we want to be praised and seen as great. There are also times that we witness the sins and bad behaviors of other people. But, instead of praying for them, we may fall to the temptation of mocking them. Even inside the Church during the Mass, some people have the tendency to look at the exterior actions of fellow Catholics as if they feel validated for being "more pious" than others. Although it's pleasing to God to do good works, to pray for other people, to participate with devotion to the Mass and many more, what is also important is we are doing everything with humility. How can we practice the virtue of humility knowing how weak we are? 

It's precisely by acknowledging our weakness that we can begin to be more humble. In our reflection, as we see how sinful we are, we can improve and avoid comparing ourselves with other people because we genuinely believe that we are in need of God's mercy. According to the writing of St. Bernard, humility recognizes the truth about God and about ourselves. And, the truth about us is that we are weak sinners. Fortunately, by God's mercy, He reveals to us our faults and pride, so we can do the right thing and be more humble. St. Bernard spoke of the ladder as an imagery. The same steps where we descend from the ladder are the same steps where we ascend. 

This is significant because this means that we can know the Truth and grow in humility by going through the times that we are guilty of pride for us to correct these behaviors and persevere in our resolutions. What are the times that we have committed sins, especially due to pride? What are the tendencies we usually fall into? Let's tell it to God and not be afraid to express to Him how weak we are. May we reflect on it and discern on what God is telling to us with regards to those sins. The peace of Christ will fill the hearts of people who are imitating the humility of Christ. And, let's also seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the most humble of all creatures, while being pure and sinless. She is the humble servant of God, and she serves Him even today by constantly interceding for us. May we ask help from her, even during the Mass, to love God and our neighbors with a pure heart like hers. We can be more humble by becoming like a child who allows our Mother Mary to carry us and bring us to our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic

Life of St. Bernard:

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/august-20---saint-bernard-of-clairvaux-abbot-and-doctor-of-the-church/

How To Pray the Rosary:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/the-most-holy-rosary/

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls