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"Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who

humble themselves will be exalted." And so, Jesus states a law

of life. Those who broadcast their amazingness will be humbled,

since God dislikes--scorns that, as much as people do. For to

trumpet our success, wealth, brilliance, giftedness or popularity

is to get distracted from the purpose for which we were created

into pointless, worthless activity. Those who love power, who are

sure they know best, and who must be the best, will eventually be

humbled by God and life. For their focus has shifted from loving

God, doing good work, and being a blessing to their family, friends,

and the world towards impressing others, being enviable, perhaps

famous. These things are houses built on sand, which will crumble

when hammered by the waves of old age, infirmity or adversity.

God resists the proud, Scripture tells us--those who strive

for the admiration, attention and power which is His alone

but He helps the humble. So how do we resist pride? We

slow down, so that we notice and repent when sheer pride

sparks our allergies to people, our enmities, our determination

to have our own way, or our grandiose pride-driven goals, dreams and ambitions.

Once we stop chasing limelight or showing off, a great quietness

steals over our lives. We no longer need the drug of continual

achievement, or to share memories or images of glittering travel,

parties, prizes or friends. We just enjoy them quietly. My life

is for itself, and not for a spectacle, Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote.

And, as Jesus advises, we don’t sharp-elbow ourselves to

the most prominent place with the shiniest people, but are

content to hang out with ordinary people, where we may

learn new things, and develop our character, kindness and

empathy, if not our network. And then, as Jesus said, we will

inevitably, eventually, be summoned higher to where, perhaps,

the conversation is more heady and sparkling, or perhaps

upwards to sit with those of a gentle, humble and radiant heart.

So how do we cultivate humility? J I Packer suggests: “Consider

everything you know about yourself. If other people knew it,

would they esteem you? They would all think, ‘What a rascal!’

So, why are you esteeming yourself better than anyone else?”

One day, every knee will bow before the gentle lamb

who was slain, now seated on the throne. We will all be silent

before him. Let us live gently then, our eyes on Christ,

continually asking for his power, his Spirit, and his direction,

moving, dancing, in the direction that we sense him move.

My memoir: Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India UK USA

Blog: anitamathias.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anitamathiaswriter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anita.mathias/
Twitter : anitamathias1
My book of essays: Wandering Between Two Worlds (US) and UK

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Christ’s theological and political enemies try, always try, to catch him out with multitudes of trick questions. Which is the greatest commandment in the law? they ask, craftily, ready to make a case for the one he does not choose.

And from the morass of the 613 commands in the Torah, Christ chooses just two. The great and first commandment, the megale and protos commandment, he says, is to love God, with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind. Love God, because he, creator of the universe, and of you; lover of the world and of you; dream-giver, dream-granter, is worthy of our love.

The second one is like it, love your neighbour as yourself; do unto others what you wish they would do unto you. Treat yourself gently; treat others gently. The entire law and the prophets hang on these two commandments, Jesus says.

And Jesus models living these commandments--waking early, and slipping to lonely places to chat with his father; maintaining his physical, mental and spiritual health by hiking to be alone with God in deserts, by the River Jordan, on mountains, in gardens. And he loved people, sharing bread and wine he created by the power of faith, cooking fish for his friends, bringing healing through his presence, his words, and his wisdom.

A great golden triad on which to base our lives--love of God, of others, and of our own selves.

My memoir: Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India UK USA

Blog: anitamathias.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anitamathiaswriter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anita.mathias/
Twitter : anitamathias1
My book of essays: Wandering Between Two Worlds (US) and UK

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Jesus, wise as a serpent, gentle as a dove, brave as a lion.

Outraged at those who attempted to make money off people’s faith and longing for God, he rampages through the temple, overturning the tables of the moneychangers. He heals, he teaches; he’s proclaimed as Messiah. And he incurs the wrath of his old enemies, the chief priests and elders who ask: Who gave you the authority to do such things?

But Jesus coolly answers their hostile questions with a loaded question of his own, trapping the trappers.

So cool, so calm, so wise! We have no record of Jesus running, rushing, being stressed or lacking peace. He never speaks on his own he tells us, without checking in with the Father. So, no foolish, ill-judged statements.

How do we develop these traits? Long before the day of testing, we must practice breathing, and tuning in to the frequency of the Father. We remember, fearlessly, that our interrogators have no power over our lives which the Father has not permitted them. That our life is in our Father’s hands. That not all questions need to be answered. For feeding pearls of wisdom to hungry pigs, would risk you, the edible, being devoured. Jesus directly answered just three of the 183 questions he was asked, refusing to answer some, answering others with a good question.

Wisdom begins by slowing down and checking in with the Father before we speak or act. His wisdom percolates through our souls as we practice asking him for the best way to do things, organise a home, or write. And then we build upwards, asking for wisdom in ever more complex things.

Listening for the voice of God before we speak, tapping into the Spirit, which Jesus calls streams of living water within us, will give us the wisdom to know what to say which, frequently, is nothing at all. It will quieten us with the silence of God, which sings through the world, through sun and stars, sky and flowers.

My memoir: Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India UK USA

Blog: anitamathias.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anitamathiaswriter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anita.mathias/
Twitter : anitamathias1
My book of essays: Wandering Between Two Worlds (US) and UK