A Jesuit Catholic University
in Omaha, Nebraska, since 1878

Philippians 2:1-4 Psalm 131: 1bcde, 2,3 Luke 14: 12-14

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

As I read today's verses, Philippians 2:1-4 stood out to me. We are supposed to imitate Christ's humility in our every day lives. Having a relationship and being united in Christ should give us deep encouragement to strive to live like he did. There is no question that his love comforts us on a daily basis, whether it be in tragedy or in a time of rejoicing. Because of this, we need to strive to love as he loves us. There is also Christ's compassion and mercy that he so graciously shows us because of his deep love for us. When we love, our compassion and mercy shows through just as Christ's does for us. We bring Christ joy by desiring to be like him. We are to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but put the value of others far above our own. Looking out for the interests of other's brings us joy because we are obeying what God wants of us.

The greatest example in my life of unselfish ambition is my sister. She left on November 1 for mission work in East Asia for the next two years. She is looking out for the interest of the people she will be sharing the gospel with. She will be furthering God's word into a nation that is so secular and so lost. This brings God great joy. She is doing a very unselfish thing by leaving everything she has here at home to go overseas to share God's promises and love with the people of East Asia. She cares deeply for those people and will be showing Christ's love, compassion, and mercy, just as he has called her to. Not everyone is called to go overseas, but we are all called to strive to live like him every day and show his love and compassion to those around us.