Sunday, January 10, 2010

Humbled

After mass on New Year's Day, we were blessed to be asked by friends to be godparents for their little boy (to be born a few days later). It is always humbling to be asked to be godparents, especially for people who you aren't related to, but this one was especially humbling. Why? Because I remember how I felt that day when they announced after mass that they were expecting. I remember the look my husband and I exchanged when another set of friends exited the church and we again witnessed to the pregnancy announcement. I remember trying to unsuccessfully tune out all the giddy talk that was exchanged between some of the girls while I tried to focus on a conversation with the guys. I remember not responding to the mass-emailed pregnancy announcement that was sent a couple days later (I had already said my congrats in person, no need to do it again via email, right?).

Were my feelings unwarranted? No, they were true to my situation. Was I wrong to focus inward on what I didn't have instead of on the joy of a birth announcement? Probably. I have a major tendency to be self-focused, especially related to anything having to do with pregnancies or babies. Was I putting up defense mechanisms to protect my aching heart? Definitely.

But God works with us despite our weaknesses. We see it throughout salvation history. God takes sinful and weak men and makes them the great leaders and figures of the bible. God can take us where we are and work through us as long as we allow ourselves to be His instruments. Sometimes He asks us to do things we do not wish to do, but when we take on His challenge, we find that we benefit more than we sacrifice.

How incredible to see God taking my weakness and turning it into something beautiful. This little boy and this family will always be connected to us. In fact, we will have responsibility towards this child – something we never expected that spring day.

"Have pity on me, Lord, for I am weak; heal me, Lord, for my bones are trembling." Psalm 6:3

"Those whose steps are guided by the Lord; whose way God approves, may stumble, but they will never fall, for the Lord holds their hand." Psalms 37:23-24

"Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.' I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me." 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

"For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work." Philippians 2:13

Reflection Questions
1. Have I fallen into focusing on myself instead of the joys and sorrows of those around me?
2. Am I open to God's call, even if it is something I do not want to do?
3. How is God using my weaknesses for good?

Litany of Humility

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved...
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 ...
From
the 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.

That others may be esteemed more than I ...
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…

7 comments:

  1. Congratulations on being a godparent! I'm starting to sound like a broken record here, but this is yet another (in a long line of) beautiful reflections. I love the prayer a the end...it's at the back of my Pieta prayer book and I've found the need to pray it often over the years.

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  2. I can totally relate. In fact, we are driving to Connecticut this weekend to be Godparents at the baptism of our friend's little boy. I remember the exact same feelings as you... and I too am humbled.
    Dear Lord, help us all. :)

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  3. I think you might need to write a Catholic Infertility Reflections book. Congratulations on being a Godparent, what an honor despite the bittersweetness of having the IF pain.

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  4. I saw that you commented on several blogs I follow and wanted to pop over and check yours out. I see that you are new, as I am (been active since Thanksgiving), and I really enjoyed reading this post. I look forward to more!

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  5. Forgive me, I was having a...moment! You aren't new-I think this is what happens when you work from home in your pjs, lol. I don't know the day of the week and now the month and year as well! Sheesh! sorry about that!

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  6. I found that last part of the litany hard to pray...
    That others may be esteemed more than I ...
    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…

    I can't think of a time that I prayed someone would have more than I. I pray good things happen to people but to say they should have more than me...it's like saying..I pray all women have babies except for me(which is my life now anyway). Can't say I've ever prayed for that! It probably sounds selfish but sometimes we need reminders that it's not all about "me, me, me"..like I often remind my preschoo.lers when they are talking to me when I'm trying to read a book, etc. Thank you for this post...I just got a new perspective on my life!

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  7. See, I'm not the only one who thinks you should write a book! Missing you from Rome!

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