Humbled

Gospel Mt 23:1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
"The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people's shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'
As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.'
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called 'Master';
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

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You were not left defenseless.

We should not live life as if to obtain all benefits for ourselves, with no consideration for our brothers. There will be no more splendid appearance than the risen bodies we inherit from Christ, whose own Body was so marred and disfigured by selfishness and hate.

If someone succeeds, rejoice with them, and do not give in to the temptation of pride, for if you fall to that temptation, the harm you bring into the world might be beyond remediation.

Wars have broken out through all time simply over envy of brothers for what each has. There is no more evil activity in the world than to go to war for the sake of one man's egotistical vanity. Such things are hateful to the Lord, and will be punished. 

Remember how great civilizations flourished for a time, but all were knocked down to be hidden in dust by the wind. Remember as well, that the flesh limits our pain and suffering in this life because it is not designed to feel the full depths of suffering; that ability happens in death when sinners are cleansed in the fires of purgatory.

It is preferable to suffer a little here, than to spend any time at all in purgatory, praying for relief of the agony of our falling short of the glory of God. To so intensely feel love and the coldness of our sins without limitation is not pleasant, though it is better than the full fires of hell from which there is no escape. Pray for the souls in purgatory, and if you suffer, offer it for the relief of the souls in purgatory who long so for the slightest kindness.

Is it not more than enough to suffer alone, hidden and unknown? The homeless are driven mad for lack of sleep, food and warmth until they die from the neglect of the human race which is so uncaring.

Let not Jesus go back to the cross to be nailed to it all over again whilst no one is aware, no one sees, and those who have the most grace ought to see, and be overwhelmed and not indifferent to the holes in the Saviors hands and feet, and the terrible gaping wound in His Heart to ensure His death.

To be forgotten in indifference is the great agony of this age. Souls can hardly walk or raise their voices, and if they could, everyone would be stopping their ears with their hands, if only not to hear. Yet there is no remedy for indifference but suffering. Do not ask why misfortune has come your way. If you had reached out to embrace the Savior instead of panting after every pleasant thing, lamentation would be forgotten, and no one would remember how they suffered before, because brothers and sisters would unite themselves to Him on the cross if only to sop up His Blood with the bread of their souls.

It is only the cross and Christ's crucifixion that can remedy the great wound of the people, the wars and revolutions, the insurrections and unwanted deaths of millions. Choose to love the Lord your God as your most beloved lover, and wash away the past with the Savior's tears. Then perhaps you may understand that love is the summation of time and space and all things that happened. Only love can redeem. The time is here when we should love beyond ourselves.