February 13
Daily Gleanings of the Saintly LifeTuesday after Epiphany
He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. I am among you as he that serveth. S. Luke 22:26, 27.
HIDDEN, indeed, are the Saints of God. After the pattern of our blessed Lord Himself, God willed that little should be known of those who are nearest to Him. The first step on the heavenly road is humility. Our Lord first descended, then ascended. First He came down and took our nature; then He descended lower to the shame of the Cross, and so He placed our nature at the right hand of God. We fell through pride, lifting up ourselves to "be as God;" we must rise by humility, lowering ourselves that God may raise us up. One law there is. Wouldest thou become great in God's eyes, be little in thine own. Wouldest thou enter the kingdom of heaven, "thou must be converted," our Lord says, "and become a little child." Wouldest thou be exalted there, and have there more of the sight of God and the love of God and the fulness of God, "take the lowest place here." Humility is the beginning of all solid good and of every grace. It opens the heart for them, and guards them where God has given them. Humility scoops away the barren sand of our self-conceit, that so our foundation may rest solidly upon the Rock which is Christ.
Rock of ages, strong and sure, Keep Thy Church in Thee secure; Often tempted, often tried, Steadfast may we still abide.
Lord, we fain would be Thine own, Fain would follow Thee alone; In Thy true religion we Long to live unchangingly.