Upright intention

God wants us to be humble. This humility does not mean that you don’t strive to advance in your profession, in your ordinary work, and of course, in your spiritual life. It is important to advance, but without seeking yourselves, with an upright intention. We do not live for earthly glory, nor for our own honour, but for the honour of God, for the glory of God, for the service of God. This alone moves us.

God wants to make use of you, of your struggle to attain holiness and even of your human talents. Always remember Christ’s command: Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matt 5:16). To Him be all glory and honour: Soli Deo honor et gloria in saecula saeculorum;¹² we have to give glory and honour only to God, for ever and ever.

Do not fail to meditate on the words of the Apostle: What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth (1 Cor 3:5-7).

Hiding and disappearing

Do not forget that it is a sign of divine favour to go unnoticed. I love the Gospel text where St John, describing a group of disciples, tells us: Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together (John 21:2). I am very fond of those two, whose names are not even known, because they pass unnoticed. I feel immensely happy to think that a whole life can be lived like this, as an apostle, hiding oneself and disappearing. Though it may be difficult at times, it is very beautiful to disappear. Illum oportet crescere, me autem minui.¹³