Day three of my four day business trip and I am weary not only of the dreary New Jersey rains but of being apart from my family. As I spoke with one of my co-workers today about professional ambitions, I confided to her that I am not sure if I care anymore.
This is, for me, a revelation that I have not shared widely because usually I care deeply about what people think of me and my performance. I write a lot about my ego and its negative impact on my spirit. The more I allow my ego to rule me, the less I experience spiritual peace. So it is unsurprising that letting go of my ego leads to disinterest in cultivating my corporate persona into an invincible elixir treasured by my bosses.
The Gospel reading today validates my desire to eschew my ego. It is entitled the Gentle Mastery of Christ:
Corcovado Jesus - Image by doug88888 via Flickr
Jesus said to the crowds:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
I have been blessed in many things in my life and after 4 decades, I am certain there is no amount of worldly treasure that will satisfy my ego. No amount of love, affection, praise, devotion, or validation from the world around me will fill the depthlessness of my ego. It is like a bathtub drain and when it is open, my spiritual health drains away to the sewer and I am left cold, wet, and naked.
In my conversation about my professional life today, I thought about all of the effort I have exerted to be viewed in the correct light. All of the calculated words, and time spent working on the right projects with the right people. All of the energy I spent was for no The position I serve now was meant to be a stepping stone to greater power and glory in my career.
Sadly, my plan backfired precisely because it was not God’s plan. Now I am unable to work on the right projects with the right people. I toil away in obscurity. God asked me to be humble and I ignored his request.
He forced my hand.
Jesus has a light burden because his ego is not in question.
He is meek.
He is humble of heart.
When I am courageous enough to let go of my ego and its associated drain on my spiritual sanity, I am unburdened. I am clear-thinking. I feel God’s power and grace directly in my life.
Today, I recite the Litany of Humility. The Holy Spirit lead me to this prayer through Matt Maher’s song Every Little Prison. He based his song on the Litany of Humility and thanks be to God for the composer of this prayer, Rafael Cardinal Merry de Val (1865-1930), the Secretary of State for Pope Saint Pius X.
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart,Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus. (repeat after each desire)
From the desire of being loved. Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled …
From the desire of being honored …
From the desire of being praised …
From the desire of being preferred to others…
From the desire of being consulted …
From the desire of being approved …
From the fear of being humiliated …
Fromthe fear of being despised…
From the fear of suffering rebukes …
From the fear of being calumniated …
From the fear of being forgotten …
From the fear of being ridiculed …
From the fear of being wronged …
From the fear of being suspected …
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. (Repeat after each others)
That others may be esteemed more than I. Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease …
That others may be chosen and I set aside …
That others may be praised and I unnoticed …
That others may be preferred to me in everything…
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…
http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/humility.htm
Today’s Notes
- Day 10 of Advent
- Today we remember St. Ambrose.
- Watch a video reflection on today’s scripture readings.
- Pray the Rosary!
- Follow me on Twitter: @cinhosa
- Find me on Facebook
Related articles
- The Litany of Humility (chastitysf.com)
- Litany of Humility (kymies3.wordpress.com)
- Jesus said to the crowds:… (cmcsarchchicago.wordpress.com)
- “Take my yoke upon you and you will find rest for your souls” (worryisuseless.wordpress.com)
Tagged: Catholic, Catholic Resources, Christianity, Jesus, postaday2011
Much love and many blessings!