Humble Enough to Ask

Written by Stephanie Smith on Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent

Today’s readings reveal a God who forgives, not just once, but over and over again. Our God offers us grace and invites us into relationship with him so that we may grow in holiness and embrace the goodness that each of us has inside us. I don’t know about you, but often my own goodness is very hard for me to see. Lately, I have found myself struggling with self-image and an overwhelming awareness of my own imperfections and inadequacies. By nature, I am a high-anxiety person who thirsts for control and struggles to stay in one place. I am quick to make assumptions and harsh judgements about others, sometimes rejoicing in their faults and failures. I easily fall into bad habits like gossip and laziness. The list goes on and on. Focusing on my own flaws tempts me to be very quick to point out the negative traits in others, and none of this helps me to embrace the abundant and joyful life that Jesus offers to me. Yet, I have found that it is precisely in my weaknesses and flaws, in the places where I struggle immensely to love myself, that Jesus offers me his love, even though I resist.

While our God is eager to forgive and heal us, the readings today challenge us to remember that forgiveness requires humility. In the Book of Daniel, Azariah prays, “But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received.” How often are we not humble enough to ask for God’s forgiveness? Sometimes I think, “I’m not THAT bad, I haven’t done anything really wrong.” On the flip side, I often feel unworthy of God’s mercy and forgiveness and so do not even bother to ask because I believe that I am far too sinful for God to forgive me. Both responses reveal not humility but sinful pride. Pride tells us that we aren’t THAT bad while simultaneously telling us that we are SO bad that not even God can cleanse us of our offenses. How powerful and mighty have I made myself that my actions are capable of thwarting the unconditional love and compassion of the Father? How often does my pride tempt me to reject the mercy and grace that God longs to give?

Pope Francis reminds us that God does not tire of forgiving, it is we who tire of asking. Throughout this Lenten journey, in the midst of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, let us throw ourselves into the loving arms of our God who desires so deeply to save us. As we continue to hope in the promise of the Resurrection, may we eagerly ask God to give us what we need – a contrite heart and a humble spirit – so that He may lead us to conversion and offer us new life.

Questions for Reflection:
In your own life, how have you noticed pride interfering with your ability to receive God’s grace and forgiveness?
In what areas of your life do you struggle to love yourself and believe that you are worthy of God’s love?

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Stephanie Smith
Stephanie is a resident parishioner involved in the Grad/YP group at St. Mary’s. Stephanie teaches theology to 9th and 10th graders at Divine Child High School in Dearborn.
Email: [email protected]