Readings
I - 1 Jn. 2: 22-28
II - Jn. 1: 19-28
HUMILITY IS SELF-ACCEPTANCE
Humility is self-acceptance. In other words, only the one who is aware of one self can be truly humble for self-knowledge leads to self-acceptance and self-acceptance adorns the person with the great virtue of humility. In today’s Gospel passage, the Jews send some priests and religious to John the Baptist to enquire about his identity that is whether he is the Messiah. John the Baptist reveals his identity telling that he is the voice crying in wilderness, preparing the way of the Messiah. He is also humble enough to say that he was unworthy to untie the sandals of the Messiah. Reading this passage, I’m reminded of Emeritus Benedict XVI who during his resignation said, “After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering…… I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.” Self-acceptance leading to humility to the extent of renouncing his papacy wishing for the utmost good.
People wish to become popular having fans, friends and followers, trending in social media and network. They want to always add an ‘extra’ to their existence that is not real. They even grab the glory of others at their own credit. These are the people whom the psychologist say that they are with low self-esteem and self-knowledge. They project themselves to be someone that in reality are not. Self-knowledge give self-acceptance and when we are aware of our own selves we project the same with no pretension. Become humble, happy and joyful because each one of us unique created for a unique purpose. Be convinced of this and live your own life with courage and conviction.
