It is hard to be humble in our modern world. It is hard to trust. It is hard to be obedient. Yet, today, Jesus proclaims that those who have a humble, child-like trust are the ones who understand the Kingdom of God. In a world where it is so easy to be cynical, sarcastic, and distrustful, perhaps this message during this first week of Advent can help us to examine the way we approach life. The Latin word “suscipe” means to receive. It has its roots in the monastic tradition, where incoming members made a profession. It is a prayer that places total reliance on God rather than human means. St Ignatius of Loyola wrote a suscipe that is found toward the end of his spiritual exercises, written in the 16th century. To me, this suscipe incorporates the spirit of humility, trust, and obedience to God that is found in today’s Gospel:
Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess, you have given me: I surrender it all to you to be disposed of according to you will. Give me only your love and your grace; with these I will be rich enough and will desire nothing more. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment