Our readings today call us to practice the virtue of humility which, by the way, is much maligned and misunderstood in our modern culture. It disintones with today’s thinking that we must safeguard and promote self above all else,  letting others know how good self is so that they can hold us in high esteem.
     Jesus, seen as a teacher in the Wisdom tradition, would teach us differently. He shows us how to gain true honor, not limiting ourselves to what others may think of us, but first and foremost, how to find favor with God. This necessarily implies the practice of the virtue of humility. Real humility is our acknowledgment of our dependence on God first and on our need for others. We are who we are thanks to the grace of God. Many others have been instrumental to the work of the work of the hands of the Lord in us.
     Take time out today to recognize that without God we are nothing; while with Him, we can achieve our fullest potential. Therein lies the truth of our lives. Therein is true humility, and therein is precisely our place of honor.

Thursday, September 2, 7:00 p.m.: Holy Hour. Offered the Thursday before First Friday, this holy hour is an opportunity to become more aware of the immense Love that flows from the Heart of Jesus in the Eucharist and to offer our own love to Him in a spirit of adoration and reparation.

Friday, September 3, 12:30 p.m.: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with prayers of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Benediction following the Noon Mass.

Saturday, September 11
     Catholic Charities USA 100th Anniversary Mass, 5:00 p.m. Bishop Jackels will celebrate this Mass. A reception follows in the Pius X Room at 6:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.catholiccharitieswichita.org or call 316-264-8344. 

Sunday, September 12
     Shamrock Alumni Mixer, a Cathedral High School Alumni all-class reunion, begins with 8:30 a.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Jackels. A reception immediately follows in the gymnasium. The sharing and reminiscing continues at Sedgwick County Park in a reserved air-conditioned shelter from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  A picnic lunch will be available for $5.00.  For more information, please call 316-263-6574.

     The Annual Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Sunday Mass, 3:30 p.m. in the Cathedral.  Bishop Jackels welcomes and honors couples of the Diocese who have been married 5, 10, 15, 20, 25. . .50 and more years. Reception following in the gymnasium.      

General: The Word of God as Incentive for Social Development. That the proclamation of the Word of God may renew people's hearts, encouraging them to work toward authentic social progress.
Mission: End of War. That by opening our hearts to love we may put an end to the wars and conflicts which continue to bloody our world.

For reflections on these intentions go to Pope's Prayer Intentions at
www.apostleshipofprayer.org.

Audio recordings of the daily Mass readings from the New American Bible are being provided by the U.S. Bishops' Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC) in association with the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Information on downloading the audio versions of the readings can be found on the popular "Daily Readings" section at www.usccb.org/nab.