It’s not enough that I have to live with a bragging Twins fan in the summer, now I have to live with two bodacious Vikings fans as I look to the approaching fall and winter. Is there no relief from this torment? Surely God will reward me from the suffering and pain I’m enduring in this life with a seat at His right in the next? Got it. I know what I will do. I will offer it up as a great act of humility on my part. Oh woe is me.

It may seem that I’m picking on Fr. Haggerty and our resident-seminarian Robert Wullweber, but I’m actually picking on myself. There is such a thing as “false humility,” and my whining above is what it sounds like. For example, when that Vikings foot- ball player scores a TD, spikes the ball, goes down on his knees, points heavenward and proclaims to all who are watching – “To God the Glory!” One has to wonder if this is genuine humility, or is it for show? Perhaps the proof would be if the same player gave God the glory when he drops a pass and the game is lost. To what extent is faith, true faith; and to what extent do we use faith as kind of a good luck charm. Obviously, the player could be from any team in any sport, I’m only using a Vikings player as an exam- ple because that’s all I will be seeing and hearing on the rectory TV this fall with those two guys around. This weekend we learn in our readings that humility is subtle. It’s more concerned with the in- ternal attitude rather than the external. And let’s face it, that in- ternal attitude of giving God all the glory without seeking honor and attention is tough. Here is one principle to follow: Just when we think we are being humble, then we are probably being proud. Our Lord Jesus teaches us that humility is a life-long process, that we must constantly pray for God’s grace and direction, and that we must always begin with the intention to serve God regardless of the outcome. When we achieve that, we shall truly be Saints…ah, not the New Orleans Saints, you know, the team that beat the Vi- kings, and then went on to win the Super Bowl…I mean the other “Saints”…the faithful departed…in heaven…who have experienced the Beatific Vision…you know who I mean ;)

Blessings
Fr. Morgan