Palm Sunday

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Adam and Eve gave into the temptation of pride and sought to become like gods. This original sin caused their downfall and it is the same temptation we constantly face in our lives. There are many times when the Devil tries to convince us that we know best and can determine what is good and evil on our own. However, this isn’t something we should be grasping for. It is arrogant to think we know what’s best for us. No. God knows what’s best and if we want to belong to Him, then we have to be willing to let go and let God lead us where we need to be. We have to be willing to become slaves to Christ and humble ourselves just as He did. We must choose to be obedient, even to the point of death on a cross. It might not be the same cross Jesus bore, but each of us needs to die to something in our lives so we can do God’s Will more perfectly.

How can we resist the temptation to make ourselves into gods? What can we do to let go and let God lead us? Are we willing to be humble and obedient even if it requires a great deal of sacrifice from us?

O Lord, we want to empty ourselves of selfishness so you might fill us with your love, mercy, and grace.

Amen.