More (11/5/2023)

“More isn’t always better; sometimes it’s just more.” That line from the 1995 movie “Sabrina” has stayed with me since the first time I heard it. It was one of those lines that have the power to reshape the way one thinks, or at least it was for me. In today’s gospel, Jesus uses the exaggerated signs of the Pharisee’s office to say the same thing and to remind us that the first step upon “the Way” is the recognition that “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Having more or desiring to be viewed by others as more important are not in “the Way” manual for spiritual pilgrims. Neither gets us one step closer to our destination, union with our LORD; in fact, they can be obstacles to reaching our destination. Jesus reminds us, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Mt 23:12). And we know this to be true, especially in the case of Christ, who humbled himself and gave himself upon the cross for our sins and for the will of the Father that we be redeemed from our sinfulness.

But how does one go about becoming humble? There’s no kit at the craft store; there’s no magic pill being hyped on tv for that. How does one become humble? As an old lady, I think I might have figured out a path that works for me. It's not the only path, but I share it in the event it might be helpful.

For me, it began with recognizing there is a LORD and it’s not me. As you know, I have a habit of going outside every morning with my coffee to begin my day consciously in the presence of the LORD. I go outside where I am greeted by the elements of creation: the sky, the vegetation, the wildlife, the weather. Waking up in the LORD in this manner rather than in a room I decorated helps me to remember, there is a LORD, and it is not me. Daily there is something that sets off the “awe” in me, whether it is the intricacy of a flower, the way the trees dance in the wind, the skyline as the moon sets and the sun rises. And I recognize the LORD’s love in creation including me, and I am moved to reliance upon the one from whom I come.

A second step for me is gratitude, beginning with my life and the lives of my family and friends. It amazes me how gratitude changes the way we look at things, even the way we look at ourselves. From where I sit, I wouldn’t be if it weren’t for the LORD. Every moment I have, whether blessed or challenging, is a gift. And as I unwrap them and employ them, I recognize that the LORD not only gives them to me, but the Spirit accompanies me as I spend them. I do not understand why I have more than others, but I recognize that is not my job. My calling is to use what has been given to me fully and lovingly and to give thanks for what is.

Gratitude keeps me humble. It reminds me moment to moment what goodness there is that I did not cause. Gratitude toward the LORD spills out into gratitude towards others. The goodness we encounter doesn’t have to be; it is the result of a loving decision on the part of someone. Gratitude is appropriate.

Another step for me is meditating the crucifix. Where would I be, who would I be if Christ had not humbled himself for me and for the lives of those whom I love, those who have come before me, those who are yet to be? He didn’t want the cross. He knew its pain and suffering. But He wanted to fulfill the will of the Father, He wanted to reconcile us to the Father, He wanted to open the door of redemption. His example of choosing the loving way rather than the comfortable way helps me to recognize the need to discern the LORD’s will in the moment rather than my idea or my wish.

Do I succeed all day every day on my pursuit of humble holiness. Heavens no. But that is the final recognition on the path, my dependence upon the LORD’s loving mercy without which I don’t know where I’d be.

As we continue on “the Way,” of our loving LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ, let us spend time considering our own desires and whether or not we need to set them down in order to pick up our crosses and follow in His footsteps. Let us remember that we are the disciples, not the masters, and let us seek to decrease so that He might increase. Let us keep our eyes on Him. And let us recognize that this life isn’t about acquiring “more” but rather becoming more the ones we are created and called to be beginning with the embrace of our own dependence upon our all-present and all-loving LORD.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.