Tuesday 19th week in ordinary time
"Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14"
The disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me."
The disciples were discussing how to be greater. Jesus gave them the clue: humility makes us great. As St John of the Cross explains, "To be taken with love for a soul, God does not look on its greatness, but the greatness of its humility." That's what He saw in Mary. Humility is necessary for holiness. St Augustine wrote that the way to God is, "in the first place, humility; in the second place, humility; in the third place, humility..."
Only humble souls know how to serve God. If we don't serve God we are good for nothing. The greatest saints have been the most humble ones, those who have been good instruments of God: Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist... On February 18th 1988, Blessed Alvaro went to Boston. As soon as he arrived there, he went to St Joseph's cemetery to visit the tomb of the Servant of God Fr Joseph Muzquiz who had been ordained with him and whom he loved dearly. But Blessed Alvaro was not accustomed to the tombs in the United States. At the gravesite, a bit confused, he asked, "But... where is he buried?" "Right underneath you, Father," they told him. Blessed Alvaro smiled and said, "Just like in every moment of his life, a foundation!" We too are called by God to be humble 'foundations'. In fact, St JosemarÃa used to teach that, in order to serve others, we should put our hearts on the floor as soft carpets for others to walk on.
Not everyone has to struggle in every single virtue, but every single person (with the exception of Jesus and Mary) needs to struggle with pride. If you have time for a little bit of 'homework', you can take to your prayer Point 263 of St JosemarÃa's book Furrow; it will give you ideas for your examination of conscience.
Holy Mary, Handmaid of the Lord, help me to become a soft carpet for others, a humble instrument in the Hands of God.
