January 15
Beloved of Good Shepherd Church
Grace to you and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord!
If you have just an ounce of humility you can have all of God. In the Christian contemplative tradition humility is a coin with two sides. The first half of humility is self-knowledge and forthrightness about all one’s misdeeds and imperfections. The halfway humble person knows who she is and who she’s not, and she’s been open and honest about the things she’s done and left undone. The halfway humble person is not hiding anything.
The second half of humility builds on and completes the first. Perfect humility comes when you accept God’s goodness and unconditional love which comes your way in spite of all the ways you’ve missed the mark. Note the key word - acceptance. Though she would like to figure out a way to undo all her past mistakes and misdeeds, the truly humble person has given up and has accepted that God loves her unconditionally in spite of all her defects, shortcomings, and hangups. She is now aware that all of God’s goodness resides in her heart. It always has. The humble person then ceases pointing fingers at other people, she complains less, and gossip is now anathema to her way of life. She can therefore be a deeply welcoming presence.
Humility is on my mind for two reasons. One, the scene in last Sunday’s Gospel passage in which John and Jesus humbly defer to each other as they tromp around in the river.
“You should baptize me!”
“No, you should baptize me!”
It’s a striking scene between two powerful yet humble men paying homage to each other. Their deference is a dance.
Then the voice of God rings out and rests on the scene with the gentle power of a dove, “You are my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” That voice is aimed at Jesus, but it lands in everyone's hearts by extension. To accept that name, Beloved, and the tender, super-abundant affection of God is the second half of humility.
The other reason humility is on my mind is you. At Good Shepherd our third core value is - All are welcome. That is so because of your humility. Because you understand and own your shortcomings and accept the grace and goodness of God you are effortlessly welcoming to all God’s bedraggled children who come through our doors. Hurting people see in you one who has allowed God’s goodness to address all your wounds. This gives them hope, and they feel welcome.
I suspect that only the truly humble can truly welcome. Your humility is a gift. Thank you.
Remember this always - God loves you, and I love you too!
Love is all,
Hendree+