"Clothe yourself with humility..."

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Beloved:
Clothe yourselves with humility
in your dealings with one another, for:

God opposes the proud
but bestows favor on the humble.

So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time.
Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.

Be sober and vigilant.
Your opponent the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour.
Resist him, steadfast in faith,
knowing that your brothers and sisters throughout the world
undergo the same sufferings.
The God of all grace
who called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus
will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you
after you have suffered a little.
To him be dominion forever. Amen. (1 Peter 5: 5-14)
This First Reading for Mass today, reminded me of Mary “clothed in humility” from the first instant of her existence due to her Immaculate Conception – also Jesus’ words: “Learn of Me for I am Meek and Humble of Heart…”

Mary was enabled by God to continue growing in humility by her faithful obedience to her Son. In this obedience of faith she is so truly the perfect model of the Church. She is for all the disciples (learners as we all are) who follow Jesus, a perfect example of one who learned from all Jesus said and did. St. Luke’s Gospel testifies: “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” (Luke 2: 19)

Mary saw how Jesus had compassion on the crowd, as well as how He had compassion on individual persons in their needs. She and Joseph knew how to cast all their cares on God in Bethlehem, Egypt and Nazareth. They learned the humility of God who sent His Son to share their sufferings in fleeing from a hateful King who sought to kill Him. They continued to learn from the Meek and Humble Heart of Jesus, the Word of God Incarnate.

Mary shared the sufferings of Calvary beneath the cross of Jesus who humbly submitted in love to the Father’s Will. Mary is Mother and Model of the “Church which exists to evangelize” (cf Pope Paul VI) – Mary continued the Mission of Jesus, by carrying Him into the world by the power of the Holy Spirit. So must we.

Mary, Humble Mother and Model of the Church, pray for us.
Come Holy Spirit, kindle in us the Fire of Your Love.
Jesus, I trust in You!