Day 24 - Stay Little

"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

(Proverbs 16:18)

Pride is the vice which comes from a lack of humility. When I think of Mary's humility, I am in awe. How many today, could become the Mother of God, and not become prideful? It is difficult enough for us to be Christians, and not let the vice of pride dominate. It is so often the case that once we dedicate our lives to Christ, we are tempted to be self-righteous. A "holier than thou" mentality can cause us to lack essential qualities of a true Christian, such as humility, mercy, and love. Mary shows us that when we carry Christ within, we must do so with profound humility. She of all Christians had the right to boast of her relationship with Christ, but she didn't. Mary boasted only in the Lord and the good things that He had done for her. After conceiving the Son of God in her womb she said: 

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name"

(Luke 1:46 ff)

There was no pride in Mary's heart. When she said "Yes" to God's plan for her life, she called herself his "handmaid" (Luke 1:38).  A handmaid is a servant. Mary's profound humility prepared her to respond to God's invitation, not for her glory but for His. We too, must respond to God's plan for our lives, not because it will make us great but because we are made to live His plan and serve Him with our lives. In our littleness we discover our greatness and the ultimate greatness of God. To become a handmaid of the Lord, is to live as His little daughter, to serve Him in love, and to root out all pride from the heart. 

Christ was able to come into the world to save us because Mary had the humble heart of a servant. In reading the Scriptures, we can see that throughout the life of Christ, Mary continued to live a beautiful life of humility. She gave birth to Christ in a stable. During Jesus' early childhood, She and Joseph lived in poverty, needing and wanting very little. They lived a simple life. As Christ's ministry began, Mary withdrew to the background of His public life. Finally, when He walked the road to Calvary, she quietly walked behind Him in full submission to the will of God. Every step of the way, Mary truly lived as a little humble daughter. 

This virtue of humility is not lofty or unattainable. Many saints have excelled at developing this virtue. Another beautiful example is St. Therese of Lisieux. Therese is known for being the saint of "the little way." Her life was marked by humility. Though she was often criticized for being too young, her childlike faith marked the way of her sainthood. She wrote: 

"We live in an age of inventions. We need no longer climb laboriously up flights of stairs; in well-to-do houses there are lifts. And I was determined to find a lift to carry me to Jesus, for I was far too small to climb the steep stairs of perfection. So I sought in holy Scripture some idea of what this lift I wanted would be, and I read these words: 'Whosoever is a little one, come to me.' It is your arms, Jesus, that are the lift to carry me to heaven. And so there is no need for me to grow up: I must stay little and become less and less." 

We are called to live as God's daughters, to stay little by growing in virtue. How many times have you heard a mother say about her children, "I just wish they would stay little forever!"?  Parents long for their children to remain innocent, pure...little. Our heavenly Father longs for the same for us. He calls us to stay little. 

Today's Challenge: 

Find one concrete action you can do today to practice humility. Who can you serve? What can you do that you would consider "below" you? How can see another as greater than yourself? Do little things with great love and humility today. 

Today's Prayer:
Join Mary in praying the Magnificat. Pray it slowly and ask for the gift of humility.