1 Peter 5:5b-7 (CEB)

5bAnd everyone, clothe yourselves with humility toward each other. God stands against the proud, but he gives favor to the humble.

Therefore, humble yourselves under God’s power so that he may raise you up in the last day. Throw all your anxiety onto him, because he cares about you.


Reflection

“Clothe yourselves with humility toward each other.” I imagine each of the amazing and humble health care providers and the many selfless essential workers putting on their personal protection before stepping into their work places, and I name that clothing “Humility.” I believe most of them do what they do because it’s who they are. They are caring and giving people. The “thank you” they receive is wonderful, but they aren’t expecting or waiting for anyone to celebrate them.

I’ve heard that no one made any profits from developing the drugs to fight polio because the doctors and scientists were all working together for the common good. That’s true humility toward one another. We live in a very different time some 70 years later. It is interesting to watch the search for a COVID-19 vaccine happening now and to ask, “is this for the common good or for the pride and profits that will come from it?” May it be so.

And…. don’t forget your own facemask when you step out of your home as you clothe yourself with humility. Protect yourself, and protect others with love.

By Kathleen Stolz


For Pondering & Prayer

When we know, when we really believe with our hearts, that God cares for us as deeply as a loving, nonjudgmental, forgiving parent, it becomes easier to lean on God through prayer and to throw all our anxiety and fear toward our Lord. May we learn to love as Jesus loves us, with humility and with care for the common good.