By Fr. Adolf Washington –
Humility, Obedience and Holiness are intimately connected. Mary, the mother of Christ had all the three. She was exalted because she humbled herself.
To bear a child outside wedlock was the most disturbing thing that could happen to a woman in Palestine as much as it is in our own society. Yet Mary said a bold “Yes” to God when she was told that she would bear a child outside wedlock, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Her reply “Behold the servant of the Lord, let it be done to me according to Thy Word” (Luke 1:38) is the most profound manifestation of her Humility, Holiness and Obedience before God. Her son would be called “savior”, a privilege that could have made Mary puff with pride. But she remained humble. It was this that singled her out from all other women as someone so special. Mary is venerated by Catholics the world over, not so much because God did great things through her, but more because she humbled herself. Her greatness was her humility.
The will of God would not lead us where the Grace of God cannot keep us.
Strange as it may seem, God sometimes expects from us decisions that can seem quite contrary to what we think brings us peace and happiness. But a restful surrender to Divine will brings us a peace that the world cannot give and the world cannot take away from us.
When God put into the heart of George Mueller to build orphanages in Bristol, England, he was discouraged by some of his friends who knew he had nothing in his pockets but just two shillings in when he made his decision known. Even when all his friends couldn’t see it as the will of God, he did. Within a short period of time, over seven million pounds came in from the most unexpected sources for the building of orphanages.
There is no Glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends. God revealed this in the life of Mary, in the life of George Mueller and it will happen in our lives too. Humility should be our starting point. God is not looking for great people but for people who will realize the greatness of God.