It is something of a paradox that the path to true humility leads to realizing just how great we truly are! Clearly the psalmist (quoted in our first reading) trod this path and in his amazement exclaims: What is man that you are mindful of him? For, you crowned him with glory and honor—and made him little less than a god. However, the essence of this greatness is our eternal destiny—both our eternal union with God and our sharing, through Christ, in his divinity. Understood in this way, growth in humility is virtually synonymous with divinization whereas descent into pride renders us ever less godlike and increasingly like the demons. And thus Jesus’ expulsion of the demon recounted in today’s gospel is a restoration of the man’s dignity and glory and grounds him in true and liberating humility and gratitude. Let us learn this important lesson and not seek glory and honor where it can never be found.
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