Sermon on Humility
This sermon explains that the fall of the first man happened because of pride, and therefore salvation came through humility. Man wanted to become like God, but the Lord Christ, through His humility, emptied Himself and took the form of a servant in order to raise mankind from its fall.
The sermon presents how humility appeared in the life of the Lord Christ from His birth, as He was born from the humble Virgin, in a simple manger, and lived a life of meekness and obedience. Humility also appeared in the life of Saint John the Baptist, who refused glory for himself and attributed all honor to Christ.
The sermon also confirms that the baptism of the Lord Christ was a wonderful example of humility, as He accepted to be baptized although He was without sin, in order to represent humanity and fulfill all righteousness. Mutual humility also appeared between the Lord Christ and John the Baptist in the words each spoke to the other.
The sermon explains that true humility is not merely outward appearances or words a person says about himself, but rather an inner conviction of human weakness, sins, and the constant need for God’s grace. The humble person knows himself well and feels his continual need for divine help.
The sermon also clarifies that the humble person is careful not to fall and does not rely on his personal strength, but asks for God’s help in everything, because pride is the cause of falling, while humility is the path of salvation and deliverance.
The sermon points out that true prayer comes from humility, because when a person feels his weakness, he constantly turns to God asking for help and steadfastness. But whoever depends on himself falls easily.
The sermon also warns against seeking spiritual gifts out of vainglory and pride, and calls for seeking the fruits of the Spirit such as love, meekness, peace, and humility, because God entrusts His gifts only to the humble.
At the conclusion of the sermon, it confirms that the person who flees from worldly honor and greatness is the one whom God exalts, and that humility makes a person loved by everyone and close to God, because “whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
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