Humility and gratitude in our spiritual journey

Job 42:1-3.5-6.12-16; Psalm: 118; Lk 10:17-24

In today’s Gospel, Jesus sends out his disciples to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God. After they return, they are overjoyed at the success of their mission, reporting to Jesus that even demons submitted to them in his name. Jesus responds with a word of caution, reminding them not to rejoice in their accomplishments, but rather to rejoice that their names are written in heaven. This passage serves as a reminder of where our true joy should come from – not in our own abilities or successes, but in the grace and salvation that comes from God.

Today we commemorate the feast of St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun and mystic, and well-known for Divine Mercy. She spoke of the importance of humility and gratitude in our spiritual lives. She wrote, “Humility is the safeguard of virtues.” This echoes Jesus’ warning to his disciples not to boast about their successes, but to remain humble before God. St. Faustina understood that true greatness lies in recognizing our own weakness and dependence on God, rather than in our own accomplishments.

St. Faustina also emphasized the importance of gratitude in our relationship with God. She wrote, “A single act of thanksgiving when things go wrong is worth a thousand when things go well.” This challenges us to see the blessings in every situation, even when things may not be going as we had hoped. Just as Jesus reminded his disciples to rejoice in the fact that their names were written in heaven, St. Faustina encourages us to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness for the grace and mercy that God bestows upon us each day.

Reflecting on today’s Gospel and the writings of St. Faustina Kowalska, we are reminded of the importance of humility and gratitude in our spiritual lives. It is easy to become caught up in our own accomplishments and successes, seeking validation and recognition from the world around us. But true joy and fulfillment come from recognizing our dependence on God and offering him thanksgiving in all circumstances. Just as the disciples rejoiced not in their own abilities, but in the grace of God working through them, may we too find our joy in knowing that our names are written in heaven and in offering thanks for the blessings we receive each day.