Recalling last Sunday’s Gospel

We don’t like being told what to do. It’s often far easier to be the one calling the shots. But the passage from the book of Exodus encourages us to reflect on the role humility can and should play in our work for justice. Look at the Israelites-a proud people reduced to grumbling. Listening to God’s instruction is the only way they find food. Are we able to hear and heed God’s voice, or do we allow our pride to get in the way?

When we work for and with people in the developing world, like coffee farmers in Nicaragua, do we recognize our own biases? Do we assume we have all the answers? Do we impose our solutions and ideas? Or are we open to learning from those living closest to the issue at hand? Do we accompany communities in their need, or do we allow notions of superiority to stand in the way of subsidiarity?

Humility is essential to ensuring that nobody goes hungry. Recent history has shown us that when people don’t have enough food, communities rise up in protest and overthrow their leaders. Those who would rather protect their own pride and power invite chaos and conflict. Humility is the antidote.

Prayerfully considering our place in God’s creation can help us achieve this humility. We are stewards, called to serve and uphold the dignity of the entire created world. We rely on one another and on the fruits of the earth. Paths of power and domination create fear and isolation; paths of humility and self-gift enable us to freely accept God’s love through the world around us-and allow us to give that love to others.