In his thought-provoking work, The Road to Character, noted columnist David Brooks points out how a sense of humility in our society has decreased while a mindset of self-centeredness has increased. He writes that the perspective of previous generations, “Nobody’s better than me, but I’m no better than anyone else,” has been eclipsed in our time by a mindset of “self-promotion” which says, “Recognize my accomplishments, I’m pretty special.” 
 
I have noticed this shift in various contexts and from well-meaning leaders and role models. A positive sense of self is helpful to a young person’s growth, but the need for self-restraint and humility are necessary to keep our thoughts and efforts focused on the greater good – loving God – and the needs of our neighbor. In other words, our capabilities and advantages hold much promise and have a God-given purpose. 
 
St. Paul, in chapter fifteen of his first letter to the Corinthians and St. Peter, in the Gospel according to Luke, provide us good examples as we hear in the readings from today’s Mass. The words of Paul, the “Apostle,” exude self-confidence and humility: “For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God that is with me.” (v. 9-10).
 
St. Peter exemplifies bold trust in Jesus and unflinching humble honesty as he follows the Lord’s command to lower the nets and then humbly confesses to him his sinfulness. “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man" (Luke 5: 8).   Jesus responds to Peter with mercy and confidence and lifts the fisherman to the great heights to which God called him to. 
 
God gives us many strengths and talents and also has given us the means – his grace and mercy and our conscience – for the proper and fruitful use of those gifts. May we respond gratefully to his generosity by developing the moral character for expressing and practicing such traits in an uplifting manner. 
 
United in prayer,
Fr. Charlie