Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord

09Jun
‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’ 
- Luke 18:10-14

This date, June 9, always brings me back to “wonderful, wonderful” Camp McDowell (as its theme song goes). This treasured spot, a facility of the Diocese of Alabama, grounded me and formed me during the tumult of high school and early college. I particularly hold dear my memories of the Compline services in the simple stone chapel, its sliding doors thrown open to the night woods, and voices rising in harmony as we sang rounds of Alleluias and “Surely the Presence” and “Humble Thyself in the Sight of the Lord.” 

It was at Camp McDowell, twenty-nine years ago, that I was awakened from sleep to learn that my father had died in the night. He was in many ways ill-suited to this material world in which we live, and I like to think that his soul is more at home in the beyond. I am grateful, though, for the imprint his moral compass left on us. He hewed to a narrow path delineated by the belief that “one cannot serve God and Mammon.” Unimpressed by fame, fortune and other trappings of success, he was equally impervious to others’ opinions of him. While I don’t know if “humble” is quite the right word to describe him – he had his own unique variety of pride – he saw straight through the foibles of the human ego, and the ways in which self-importance can harden our hearts and distort our priorities. 

Having these values of simplicity and humility instilled in me from a young age has been a gift. Not that I have always lived up to them, by any means! But they serve as important reference points; they help me to reset and re-center when I might be swayed by conceit or by a hunger for others’ approval. I can only pray that, with God’s help and mercy, I can live my life in such a way as to instill the same in my son.  

Musical Reflection - Humble Thyself in the Sight of the Lord-Maranatha Singers

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. Amen.
- Psalm 51: 11-13
GospelDeathHumility
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#camp #loss #death #humble #humility

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