Today, the Lord teaches us the importance of humility in the life of a Christian disciple. This humility is not demanded out of God’s need to be appeased, but is a posture of love. As we were reminded last weekend, love is at the heart of the Christian life: love of God and love of neighbor. And love, by its very nature, puts the beloved first. Our first love must be Christ.
Jesus’ concern about titles is not about specific words themselves. As Origen notes, we may call someone “father” out of respect for their age or role, not because we see them as the ‘source of our being’. In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns us against seeking praise or elevating ourselves above God—reminding us that true greatness lies in humble service.
Today we also celebrate the Memorial of St. Bonaventure. Though he was a brilliant scholar with the potential to wield great influence, he chose instead to follow the path of humility. Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, he placed love of Christ and neighbor above all else.
May St. Bonaventure intercede for us, that we may always put Christ first in our lives and walk in love with the Lord each day.
Living in Love with God 
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