Day 14:

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Fourteen days into Lent and our fourteenth resolution is Being more humble. Today's Gospel from Matthew 4:5 (NABRE) draws us into the second temptation: “Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple…”

As we ponder this lofty temptation in detail, the devil placed Jesus high on the Temple's parapet, a flat roof's edge where scribes and teachers sat in prideful display, elevated in vainglory and self-importance. This spot symbolized empty glory, a false shine the devil offered to many religious leaders of old, who eagerly embraced it for passing praise.

That glory was hollow, granted by the “ruler of this world” to those craving superficial light, not the deep truth of God's honor. Jesus sought no such vanity, He desired all to know Him as Son of God, to glorify Him for who He truly is, worthy of eternal praise, not fleeting acclaim.
We fall to empty glory when we chase others' opinions: What do they say of me? What do they think? What fame or likes define my worth? Such concern is rooted in confusion, not truth. Opinions fade; only Truth endures.

Our real glory shines in this: we are sinners redeemed by Christ, weak yet strong in Him, sheep guided by the Shepherd, nothing without God's grace. When we embrace these truths with our whole soul, worldly views lose power. Our value rests in Christ alone, we are God's beloved children, a glory unchanged except by our free choice to sin.

Ponder where the evil one tempts you to vain and empty glory. Social media, useful for sharing with loved ones, often becomes a modern trap of vainglory: How many likes? How many followers? What clever comments? When we obsess over these, we prioritize others' fleeting thoughts over God's unchanging view of us.

Being more humble counters this prideful pull directly. Humility roots us in truth, recognizing our dependence on God, accepting our limits, and seeing every good as His gift. It frees us from the need for applause, allowing us to serve quietly, accept correction gracefully, and thank God for both strengths and weaknesses. As Sirach teaches, “My son, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are” (Sirach 3:17–18, NABRE). And St. Paul urges: “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3, NABRE). True humility opens the door to God's grace, as He “opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (cf. 1 Peter 5:5, NABRE).

In this Lenten desert, let humility silence the whispers of pride. Daily examine: Where do I seek empty honor? How can I lower myself to lift others? Choose gratitude for God's gifts over self-elevation, service over status. Humility transforms complaints into praise, vanity into trust, and draws us closer to Christ's own humble heart.

My glorious Lord, You had no interest in the vanities of worldly glory, caring nothing for false opinions or judgments of this world. You shared fully in the true glory of Eternal Truth; Who You are, always have been, and always will be. Help me shed false opinions and temptations to earthly acclaim, so I may find my identity and glory only in You. Teach me to be more humble each day, seeing myself as You see me, regarding others as greater, and embracing lowliness with joy. May my heart overflow with thanks for Your grace, free from pride's empty grasp. Jesus, I trust in You.


#LentenResolutions

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