Be Humbled and Pray

25/3/2021

A Reflection on the Second Reading for March 28th, 2021:
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

Philippians
2.6-11

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross.

Therefore God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

The Church reminds us that, “[H]umility is the foundation of prayer,” (CCC 2559) and here we hear Saint Paul point to Christ as the perfect model of this virtue. Embracing humility means placing ourselves under God’s mission — trusting in Him, acknowledging our littleness, and depending on Him in everything. This disposition is necessary to accept His gift of prayer, as without an awareness of our need for Him, we cannot empty ourselves or be open to His grace.

Jesus did not have the same need or dependence as us in His divinity, but in His earthly life He willingly embraced His humanity and chose to share in our experience of reliance — a full and intimate participation in our human condition and an act of sacrificial and obedient love.

During this season of Lent, my main goal was to recommit myself to daily prayer, but I will readily admit that I have been weak in my resolve. Having met many roadblocks along the way, mainly my own stubbornness, scrupulosity, and selfishness, I have let myself be discouraged and distracted from simply asking God for help. The more I strive, the less I am successful, and the more pride I uncover.

Now I think it is time for me to stop trying so hard and simply surrender to Him; to listen and receive. I invite you to join me in a time of silence, simply with Him, after meditating for a few moments on the following catechism excerpt:

"'If you knew the gift of God!' The wonder of prayer is revealed beside the well where we come seeking water: there, Christ comes to meet every human being. It is he who first seeks us and asks us for a drink. Jesus thirsts; his asking arises from the depths of God's desire for us. Whether we realize it or not, prayer is the encounter of God's thirst with ours. God thirsts that we may thirst for him.” (CCC 2560)

Kendra L.

3 Comments

Laura

25/3/2021 08:56:43 am

Thank you for this reflection Kendra - I can definitely relate to your struggle and the disappointment of uncovering pride where I thought there was none. And what a great excerpt from the catechism to meditate on - thanks for sharing :)

Lori

27/3/2021 10:08:35 am

Oh, Kendra! I'm so grateful for your invitation into ths time of meditiation. I sat for 20 minutes meeting Him in our mutual thirst and He filled me to overflowing with rushing waterfalls of His grace. Praise God for leading your contrite heart into this beautiful desire for prayer!

Lisa Matheson

27/3/2021 04:00:35 pm

Such a beautiful reflection Kendra. This really resonated with me:
“This disposition is necessary to accept His gift of prayer, as without an awareness of our need for Him, we cannot empty ourselves or be open to His grace.”
Ugh, I think sometimes I acknowledge my need for Him, but only in those places that I choose to let Him in. The rest I think I can handle myself. Now that I think about it, it sounds so silly. He wants me to be fully emptied...to completely surrender. I will continue to pray for the willingness to do this! Thank you for the beautiful excerpt from the catechism. You’ve given me lots to think about and lots to pray about.