Fr. Jorge Miró shares with the readers of Exaudi his commentary on today’s Gospel, Sunday 5 November 2023, entitled “He who exalts himself will be humiliated”.
This word seriously invites us to conversion. For the spirit of Pharisaism easily falls upon us and can ensnare us.
When do we fall into Pharisaism?
When you remain in the mere observance of the law and do not go to the heart of being a disciple: leave everything to follow Jesus, to live in his will and not in your own will.
When you think you are better than others, and you live judging and condemning, despising…, instead of looking at the other as the Lord looks at him: from the truth, but with mercy: not to destroy nor to humiliate, but to welcome, encourage and heal: They throw heavy bundles and carry them on people’s shoulders, but they are not willing to lift a finger to push. This is not an invitation to preach the gospel of sales, but the proclamation that all is a gift, all is grace.
When you think you are saved by your own strength and merit, despising the grace of God.
When you live in hypocrisy: not in the inconsistency of weakness (I will, but I cannot), which leads you to humility and to confess your sins; but in the duplicity of I will not, but I pretend, which leads to hardening of the heart.
When you seek your own glory and not God’s glory. And so you go about begging for recognition, for first places… Everything you do is for people to see you…; you like the first places at banquets and the seats of honour… The first among you will be your servant.
When you live more like a scholar than a disciple: when you know the way, but do not walk; you know the Scripture but do not allow yourself to be enlightened by it; you are more occupied with the ‘things’ of God than in having a real encounter with God to live each day doing God’s will.
Don’t be frightened if you see this coming up in your heart, but don’t let it stay in your heart! Call upon the Holy Spirit! Ask Him for a new heart that seeks only to live in God’s will.
Come Holy Spirit! (cf. Lk 11:13).
He who exalts himself will be humiliated: Comment Fr. Jorge Miró
Sunday 5 November 2023
Fr. Jorge Miró shares with the readers of Exaudi his commentary on today’s Gospel, Sunday 5 November 2023, entitled “He who exalts himself will be humiliated”.
This word seriously invites us to conversion. For the spirit of Pharisaism easily falls upon us and can ensnare us.
When do we fall into Pharisaism?
When you remain in the mere observance of the law and do not go to the heart of being a disciple: leave everything to follow Jesus, to live in his will and not in your own will.
When you think you are better than others, and you live judging and condemning, despising…, instead of looking at the other as the Lord looks at him: from the truth, but with mercy: not to destroy nor to humiliate, but to welcome, encourage and heal: They throw heavy bundles and carry them on people’s shoulders, but they are not willing to lift a finger to push. This is not an invitation to preach the gospel of sales, but the proclamation that all is a gift, all is grace.
When you think you are saved by your own strength and merit, despising the grace of God.
When you live in hypocrisy: not in the inconsistency of weakness (I will, but I cannot), which leads you to humility and to confess your sins; but in the duplicity of I will not, but I pretend, which leads to hardening of the heart.
When you seek your own glory and not God’s glory. And so you go about begging for recognition, for first places… Everything you do is for people to see you…; you like the first places at banquets and the seats of honour… The first among you will be your servant.
When you live more like a scholar than a disciple: when you know the way, but do not walk; you know the Scripture but do not allow yourself to be enlightened by it; you are more occupied with the ‘things’ of God than in having a real encounter with God to live each day doing God’s will.
Don’t be frightened if you see this coming up in your heart, but don’t let it stay in your heart! Call upon the Holy Spirit! Ask Him for a new heart that seeks only to live in God’s will.
Come Holy Spirit! (cf. Lk 11:13).
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