Virtue: Humility
Resolution: I choose to honor others above self.

Human Story: St Francis of Assisi (1181/2 – 1226)

Francis of Assisi was born in Italy around the year 1181 to a prosperous silk merchant and a noblewoman. Francis lived a high-spirited life typical of a wealthy young man. He was handsome, witty, gallant, and delighted in fine clothes. He spent money lavishly and was renowned for drinking and partying in his youth but soon became disillusioned with the world that surrounded him. Around 1202, Francis joined a military expedition and was taken prisoner. He spent a year imprisoned and acquired an illness that caused him to re-evaluate his life’s trajectory. After his release from prison, Francis heard the voice of Christ who told him to repair the Christian Church and live a life of poverty. He abandoned his life of luxury. He renounced his inheritance and stripped down to his undergarments in the town square as he set off to embrace his vow of poverty, a radical notion at the time. He set out on a mission to restore the church to the original values of Jesus Christ. 

St. Francis advocated gentleness, humility and simplicity. He and his companions desired to fully live by the Gospel. He never set out to have followers, but people were so puzzled by his joyful disposition in spite of abject poverty that they began to listen to his call to repentance. His message of humility and living gently caught on. Francis’ humility was embodied by the way he related to all of God’s creatures.  He took to heart Jesus’ command to love neighbor, even going so far as seeing non-human elements of creation as his neighbor. He believed that God had created everything to be family and to provide mutual care and joy. Rather than thinking of himself as a higher being, Francis saw himself as a brother to the animals and everything that God created and declared good. He taught the world about God’s brotherhood and practiced true equality, showing respect and love to every single person he met. St. Francis rejected his lifestyle full of “stuff” and his dreams of prestige in favor of a simple, gentle, humble life. He found God there; he found freedom and joy in simplicity, and indeed found rest for his weary soul.

Lesson: Luke 1:52 (NIV)

He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

Is it possible to get to a high-ranking position without crushing a few people in the process? Has anyone elected president of the United States ever gotten to that position by being humble? The words from the scripture text above were uttered by Mary, the mother of Jesus, in what is called “The Magnificat” (Luke 1:46-55). It is a beautiful poem remarkably sounding like the psalms of old, praising Yahweh the God of Israel for being faithful to what he promised...sending his Messiah to rescue his people! However, in this poem, Mary provides a foretaste for how this Messiah would rule. He will fill the hungry, scatter the proud, and lift up the humble.

In the “common sense” views of rational people, leaders need to be assertive, strong-willed, resolved, tough, and embody a “strong man” mentality. History has taught us, time and again, that these characteristics have a high likelihood of leading to destruction, developing a seeming sense of invincibility by the leader yet leading to decisions that result in anything but peace. Mary is giving us a glimpse of the upside-down nature of Jesus’ leadership in His kingdom.

Mary was likely a young teenage girl in an ancient culture that was ruled by older men. She was not important, unnoticed by the people who made the big decisions. Yet God chose her, insignificant as she was, to bring forth the life of the second Person of the Trinity. God incarnate, Jesus, was physically developed in the womb of an unwed, poor, teenage girl. During this Advent season, as you see news headlines focusing on important people of power, ponder what may be making headlines in kingdom news, and shoot for making the front page.

Remembrance:

The Litany of Humility (Contemporary version)

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me. 
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I ,  Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, 
others may increase and I may decrease,  Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,  Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,  Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,  Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

Challenge

Evaluate how you spend money. Pray and ask God to show you how He desires your money to be used. If you struggle with financial management, consider taking a class or counseling session that focuses on financial education and budgeting. Or, talk to someone at church or a friend who you think might be able to point you in the right direction.

Bless someone who has recently been through a rough time. Go out of your way to encourage resilience and strength in him or her. It could be as simple as sending a hand-written letter to someone.

References: crownonline.org, daveramsey.com, moneywise.org

Reflection

Saint Francis made a radical life change after being captured in war. Have there been moments in your life that have caused you to change your course completely?

Refer back to the “Litany of Humility.” Which desires or fears do you need the Lord to deliver you from in this season? Are there things you need his grace to desire?

Further Growth

2021: 4th Sunday in Advent

Old Testament: Micah 5:2-5a
Psalm: Psalm 80:1-7
New Testament: Hebrews 10:1-10
Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

2020: 4th Sunday in Advent

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 7:1-17
Psalm: Psalm 132:1-19
New Testament: Romans 16 25-27
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38