The Gospel
Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.
The Offering
From Ben Hatley-Cotter
Jesus speaks of the power of humbling oneself. He says, “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.” I’d argue, the community of the Abbey keeps a good sense of humility, both individually and as a group. But within that humility, we know that wonderful, mysterious, and enlightening things happen. And still the humility remains. I think one of the reasons for this is we all see the wonder within each other, and we direct that wonder outwards, rather than keeping it inside. Pointing out what is wonderful about others builds them up, and therein lies the greatest power of humility.