Lesson from Fr. Paulus | The Law of Humility

Christ is a King, and kings rule their kingdoms with laws. One of the most important laws in Christ's Kingdom is the law of humility. This law says that "everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted".

In other words, greatness in his Kingdom comes not from outdoing other people, outperforming them, and outdistancing them. Greatness in Christ's eyes comes from serving other people, from elevating them, helping them advance, and keeping oneself in the background.

In his very first sermon, Jesus had taught the same law with different words: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." It's the same law stated so directly in today's First Reading: "Conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved... Humble yourself... and you will find favor with God."

This law goes directly against everything this fallen world teaches us. It's extremely hard for us to swallow, which is why Jesus explained it by using this unambiguous parable. But even the parable wasn't enough. This law is so fundamental, that Jesus also taught it to us by living it out in an extreme way: through his passion and death.

Jesus, the Lord of heaven, came to earth and purposefully took the lowest place possible - that of a condemned criminal. He freely took on the most humiliating form of death - crucifixion. He allowed himself to be stripped of every honor. He allowed his reputation to be dragged through the mud by the lies and corruption of his enemies.

And yet, because he humbled himself so thoroughly, he has been glorified so magnificently. Such is the law of his Kingdom.

Nature Teaches Humility

The Law of Humility is written not only in the Gospel, but even in nature. Consider the tallest and most fruitful trees. How can they stand firm in spite of storms, wind, and earthquakes? What gives them the vitality to bear fruit year after year, spreading their own goodness to all living things around them?

Their roots. Without deep, strong roots, the tree would crash to the ground in the first summer storm. Without wide, expansive roots, they couldn't absorb the nourishment and moisture necessary for putting out leaves, buds, flowers, and fruit.

But these all-important roots are completely hidden. They really are in the "lowest place", where no one pays any attention to them. Without the root of humility, our lives cannot bear the fruit of authentic happiness for ourselves and those around us.

Consider also the mountains and the valleys. The majestic mountaintops pierce the brilliant sky with their jagged peaks. Impressive, visible from a distance, awe-inspiring - but also barren. The higher up you go on the mountain, the less life you find. The valleys beneath the mountaintops are hidden. You can't see them from far away. They draw no attention to themselves.

In this lowest place they receive the fresh water that flows down the mountainside from the melting ice on top, water full of nutrients from the eroding soil. So, the valleys overflow with life - flowers, grasses, trees, animals, streams, birds, and fish.

When we exalt ourselves, we become impressive to others, but barren of life, like mountaintops. When we humble ourselves, as Christ did, our lives become fruitful and vibrant, both here on earth and for all eternity in heaven.