When I think about the big beautiful world that we live in, and how God created it all, I am truly humbled. To think that I am one person out of approximately 8 billion people on this planet gives me pause. As a child goes from infancy to adulthood, there are a range of stages that they go through, from self-centeredness, in order to have their basic needs met, to recognizing that there is a greater world and then to serve others as their needs are equally important.  

Many events happen through our journey in life, and they often bring about humility. When we realize that everything is not in our control, that the world (even our families’ world) does not completely revolve around us, and particularly when “bad” or difficult things occur in our lives, we are humbled. Only then do we begin to truly appreciate the small blessings in life that perhaps we took for granted. 

We are now in the Lenten period, which began this past Monday, February 27. Three weeks prior, the Church, in her wisdom, began the Triodion period with the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee. This parable’s theme is humility. God will exalt those who have a humble heart, who recognize their wrongs, and are not self-righteous as it tells us in Matthew 23. Our attention is turned towards this lesson on humility before we even begin Lent in order to prepare us for this season. We are called to focus on three main things in our Lenten journey: fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. The famed author C.S. Lewis said “humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” That is exactly what we are called to do as we journey through these next weeks towards Pascha (Holy Resurrection). May God grant us great strength as we endeavor to prepare to meet our Lord Jesus Christ!