Today’s readings are about humility. The prophet Hosea begs “Come let us return to the Lord…” and humbly admit our failings. The most famous penitential psalm, Psalm 51, promises that a “humble and contrite heart, the Lord will not spurn.’ And Jesus, in Luke, recounts the parable of the proud man and the humble man praying before the lord. Only one man was heard. Pride is a major stumbling block for me on my journey of life. There are things I do very well, and I expect to be noticed for them. When I am not, well, I feel slighted. Honestly, how petty can I be!? What I have to remember is that anything I do well, I do well because God blessed me with that gift. So, when I use that gift in its proper way, meaning for God, then it matters not if anyone notices and pats me on the back. God sees and blesses. That should be enough for me.
