The Greek mythology has a character named Narcissus who was renowned for his beauty.

He was exceptionally proud; so much that he even disdained those who loved him!

One day, Narcissus was attracted to a pool of water.

He saw his own reflection in the water and fell in love with it. He failed to realize that it was only an image!

Unable to leave the beauty of his reflection, he drowned in the waters!

An obsessive love of his own-self drowned him!

No doubt that true appreciation, real honoring and genuine love of oneself is highly important & needed…
… but when this self-directed love crosses the boundary, it can lead to obsession and fixation!

Are we in anyway getting drowned, knowingly or unknowingly, as a result of an excessive love for our self?

The Gospel of the Day challenges us to ponder over this aspect by inviting us to examine our life with respect to the virtue of humility.

Jesus says, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Lk 14:11)

One of the most supreme and vital messages that we learn from the life and teachings of Jesus is that of Humility – a virtue in direct contrast to the dangerous vice of Pride!

There are two kinds of pride: good and bad.

>> ‘Good pride’ is our dignity & self-respect
>> ‘Bad pride’ is the deadly sin of superiority that reeks of conceit and arrogance.

What is pride, as a vice?
>> In simple words, it could defined as “wanting our own way!”

Therefore, what is humility as a virtue?
>> In simple words, it could be defined as “wanting God’s Will!”

This is what Jesus teaches through the parable of “how a person sought the highest place, but got humiliated in accepting the lowest place!” (Lk 14: 7-9)

In our life, it is easy for us to lose our focus from the Lord and have a “narcisstic” style of preferences for our own selves…

>> Many times in our works, we forget the blessings that the Lord has showered on us…
… and instead attribute all successes to our own talents and abilities.

>> Many times in our ministry, we lose sight of the Lord, the real purposes of our vocation and the mission…
… and instead seek to fulfill our personal agenda and motives.

> It is easy to bask in the glory of popularity and fame.
> It is satisfying to enjoy the sunshine of reputations and recognitions.
… But let them never lead us to have a “narcisstic” approach of just “looking into” ourselves.

>> Let us have the humility to acknowledge that it is God’s power being manifested in our works.
>> Let us have the acceptance that it is God’s graces that has lifted us to a high position.

St Augustine says:
“It was pride that changed angels into devils;
It is humility that makes men as angels”

Yes, we need to take care not to “drown” in the murky waters of pride, egoism and selfishness…
… Instead, we need to “sail” together with the Lord through the clean waters of humility and meekness!

God Bless! Live Jesus!