Scripture Reading
Matthew 23:11-12
"The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Reflection
Lent undoes the logic of the world, where greatness means climbing over others. In God's kingdom, the ladder runs downward into service and humility. Christ himself, who was God, took the form of a servant and humbled himself to death. The Lenten discipline of self-denial is not about earning status but about practicing the downward way — making ourselves small so that Christ may be great.
Prayer for Today
O our Lord and God, restrain our thoughts, so that they do not wander amid the vanities of this world. O Lord our God, grant that I may be united to the affection of your love, unworthy though I be. Glory be to you, O Christ. Ascend into the chamber of your renowned light, O Lord; sow in me the good seed of humility; and under the wings of your grace hide me through your mercy. If you were to mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? Because there is mercy with you.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.