Humility, our world needs humble people.

The book of Sirach and the Gospel of St. Luke urge us to acquire the virtue of HUMILITY.  Humility comes from two Latin words humilis – low or lowly and from humus – ground.  Humility does not mean weak, a push over or obsequious.  Humility means TRUTH, so if Carrie Underwood says she is a good singer she is being humble because she is telling the truth.

In WW II our top military man was General George Marshall the Army chief of staff.  President Roosevelt wanted him to go to England and lead the D-Day invasion but he turned it down because he believed he could best serve the nation by remaining in D.C.

F.D.R. knew that the Supreme Allied Commander of the invasion would become famous; Dwight D. Eisenhower went instead, he eventually became President of the United States.  Marshall’s humility did not end there.  President Truman asked him to serve as Secretary of State and later as Secretary of Defense.  The Secretary of Defense in diplomatic protocol is of lower rank then the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of Defense is supposed to walk slightly behind the Secretary of State and George Marshall always observed the diplomatic protocol.  Humility – TRUTH – the truth in our lives is following Jesus with our actions and our attitudes.

Our TRUTH is -- loving God with all our heart, with all our will &

with all our mind.

What are our measurements of success?  “The True Marks of Success”  A hundred years ago, Ralph Waldo Emerson noted three qualities he deemed marks of true "success": the ability to discern and appreciate beauty, the ability to see the best in others, and a commitment to leaving the world a better place.  Emerson (believed) that success (came) with appreciating God's world, developing loving relationships with God's people, and with working to improve God's world.  (R. Robert Cueni, Sermons on the Gospel Readings, Series I, Cycle C, CSS Publishing Company)

St. Luke’s Gospel recommends that we extend whatever kindness and generosity we can to those we meet, especially to those less fortunate than us.  “… Jesus call each one of us to be both a guest and a server @ his table.”  (Connections September 2007)

As Catholics we are blessed to be nourished with the Eucharistic for our journey.  We are called to see one another as God sees us and that’s what Jesus tells in the Gospel.

 “In Chicago in 1953 the city officials and news reporters were waiting at the railroad station for the arrival of the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner.  When he stepped off the train…he thanked them and asked to be excused for a moment.  He walked quickly to the side of an elderly woman struggling with her two big suitcases.  Smiling at the woman he picked up her bags and walked with her to her bus.  There he helped her aboard and wished her a safe trip.  Then we went back to the officials and apologized for keeping them waiting.

That man was Albert Schweitzer….  One of the committee members turned to a reporter & said, ‘That’s the first time I ever saw a sermon walking.’”  (Loose-Leaf Lectionary for Mass, September 2, 2007 Stefanie Weisgram, O.S.B.)

Most of us will not be called upon to perform great actions on great stages, so we must do what we can with small actions on small stages –done with love for God. 

That’s HUMILITY!

Try we live with Humility each day and the world will be a better place.

May God Be Praised!