Matthew 23:12 12All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.
- Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
- Sit in silent meditation 5 to 15 minutes paying attention to the breath.
- Focus on the photograph above. Spend 3 to 5 minutes opening yourself to this image.
- What word or phrase captures your attention in the image?
- With whom do you most identify in the image?
- What freedom do you feel in the image?
- What tension or bondage do you feel in the image?
- Spend another 3 to 5 minutes opening yourself to the image. This image was captured 48 hours after the massive earthquake in Turkey.
- What hope do you encounter here?
- Where do you encounter humility?
- Where do you encounter exaltation?
- Who are you in the image?
- Is there a message from God to you?
- Is there a call to action?
- Give thanks to God for this time in humble remembrance and thanksgiving. Give thanks to God for anything new that has been revealed to you.
- Share as you feel led in the reply box below.
Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, October 30, 2011, the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Joshua 3:7-17
Psalm 107: 1-7, 33-37
I Thessalonians: 2:9-13
Matthew 23:1-12
If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author.
Permission to use in not-for-profit settings The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD
Can I remember places where certainly, yes, I was humble? Was it there, or there?
Can I act to humble myself? Would that be humbling, or would it be the conceit of exalting my self?
Humble is not a particular act, but the quality below action’s sensible surface that grounds us in transcendence. An oxymoron perhaps, and yet humbleness helps us re-member our selves within God’s whole creation.
Humbleness reconciles neighbors recognizing those places and times where neighbors’ lives touch. Listening to, helping, learning from, becoming in relation to neighbor implies a larger reality beyond the boundaries of individual self. Humbleness asks that we empty ourselves freely in neighborly love rewarding us with shared experience that renews, re-creates and rejuvenates.
I hear you speaking from your heart. I particularly am drawn to your phrase, “humbleness helps us re-member our selves within God’s whole creation.” Beautiful…Shalom.