When I read this passage in Hebrews, I am transported back to Maundy Thursday, when we hear about Jesus kneeling down before his disciples to wash their feet. The scene, as I imagine it, is so profoundly humbling for Jesus. Jesus, the Son of God, lowered himself before the very ones whom he chose as his followers, who proved themselves to be naïve, proud and misguided in their understanding of Jesus. And he washed their feet! This act demonstrated humility at its best.
There are many acts of humility seen throughout time, some by well-known people (I think of Mother Teresa, caring for street people in India) and some by people in our everyday lives (I think of volunteers who help with feeding residents in long-term care homes). We are called to live in humility, which means setting aside whatever autonomy, self-esteem or dignity we think we have in order to give back to those who have less or no autonomy, self-esteem or dignity.
If we think that there is nothing to be gained by being humble, we have only to look to Jesus who, through his humble death, “became the source of eternal salvation” (verse 9) for us.
O God, although we may resist humbling ourselves for the sake of lifting others, remind us always that we follow Jesus who humbled himself for our sake. Amen. —