Optional Memorial of Saint Martin de Porres, Religious

Brief Background:

St. Martin de Porres (1579–1639) was born in Lima, Peru, to a Spanish father and a mother of African descent. He experienced poverty and racial discrimination growing up.

He became a Dominican lay brother, known for his humility, compassion, and service to the poor and sick. Despite the discrimination he faced, he treated everyone with dignity and love. He was canonized by Pope John XXIII in 1962.

Patron Saint of: Racial harmony, social justice, barbers, and healthcare workers.

REFLECTION:

I don't know if some of you have noticed, but during Mass, whenever I hear the name of Jesus, I bow my head. Maybe some of you have seen me do that and wondered why.

Well, this practice was especially promoted by Pope Gregory X back in the 13th century. And it comes from what St. Paul tells us in today's first reading: "At the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth."

Now, imagine if we had to kneel every single time we heard the name of Jesus during Mass! We'd be going up and down the whole time! And some of us might go down and not come back up.

But bowing our heads is a simple gesture of reverence and humility before Jesus. And here's what I find interesting: It's so easy for us to bow our heads, but sometimes it's so difficult for us to humble our hearts.

Because if we go back a few verses in today's reading, St. Paul tells us something extraordinary about Jesus: "Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness... he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross."

Think about that for a moment. Jesus, who is God, humbled Himself to become one of us. He didn't come demanding special treatment, recognition, or power. He came as a servant. And He humbled Himself even further by dying on the cross for our salvation.

The One before whom every knee should bend was Himself willing to kneel before others.

Remember what Jesus did at the Last Supper? He got down on His knees and washed the feet of His disciples. The Son of God doing the work of a servant!

And yet, look at us!

We don't like being told what to do. We don't like admitting we're wrong. Sometimes even saying "I'm sorry" is difficult because of our pride. Or when someone asks us to do something, our first response might be, "Why me? That's not my job!"

We want people to respect us, but sometimes we struggle to show that same respect to others. We want recognition for what we do, but we don't always want to do the little things that nobody notices.

And yet, Jesus, who had every reason to claim greatness, chose humility.

That's why St. Paul begins today's reading by saying: "Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus."

Notice, St. Paul doesn't tell us simply to admire Jesus or to bow before Him. He tells us to have the same attitude as Jesus.

So, the next time we hear the name of Jesus during Mass and bow our heads, perhaps we should ask ourselves: "Am I just bowing my head, or am I also willing to humble my heart?" Because bowing our heads takes only a second. But humbling our hearts is something we must practice every day.

And that's our challenge today. Find one opportunity to put aside your pride. Maybe it's admitting you're wrong, apologizing to someone, listening instead of insisting on having the last word, or doing something for someone without expecting recognition.

Because if Jesus, who is God, was willing to humble Himself for us, who are we to think that humility is beneath us?.