How to cultivate humility, integrity and Peace (Proper 21 (2))

In the understanding of life, every action, thought, and intention resonates with deeper spiritual principles, reflecting both the inner state of the soul and its connection to the Divine. Cultivating virtues like humility, integrity, and peace requires aligning one’s inner being with higher spiritual truths. These virtues are not simply moral choices, but spiritual energies that flow from the soul's connection to God and the universal harmony. Humility: Humility is the recognition that the self is not separate from others or from the Divine source. It involves surrendering the ego and embracing the oneness of all life. When we practice humility, we acknowledge that all wisdom, talent, and goodness ultimately come from a higher power, and we become vessels for divine grace. Humility is cultivated by consciously shifting our focus away from the ego's need for recognition and toward a mindset of service and surrender to divine will. This means recognizing the interconnectedness of humanity and letting go of pride or competition.

Integrity: Integrity, is about aligning our inner truth with our outer actions. It involves living authentically, in harmony with spiritual principles, and avoiding the fragmentation that comes when we compromise our values. Integrity is the practice of living in coherence with the highest truth, without deception or inconsistency. To cultivate integrity, one must continuously seek alignment between thoughts, words, and actions. This involves self-reflection, mindfulness, and a commitment to spiritual principles. It also requires the courage to make choices that are in line with one’s values, even when they are difficult.

Peace: Peace is more than the absence of conflict; it is a state of inner harmony that reflects the soul's alignment with divine order. Peace emerges when we transcend dualities—such as fear and anger—and settle into the stillness of the spirit. This virtue is cultivated by maintaining balance and harmony in relationships and circumstances, rooted in the inner calm that comes from knowing one's connection to God. Practicing peace means developing inner stillness through meditation, prayer, and surrendering control. It also involves active peacemaking—fostering understanding and reconciliation in the external world by being grounded in one’s spiritual center.

Jean Vanier and L'Arche

A powerful example of cultivating humility, integrity, and peace is the life and work of Jean Vanier, the founder of L'Arche, an international network of communities where people with and without disabilities live together in a spirit of mutual respect and shared humanity. Vanier embodied humility by creating spaces where people with intellectual disabilities were not treated as lesser or “different,” but as equals and integral parts of the community. He recognized the profound spiritual wisdom and worth in those whom society often marginalizes, allowing them to teach him and others about vulnerability, trust, and love. In his writings, Vanier often reflected on how serving and living alongside people with disabilities humbled him and opened him to the presence of God in ways he had never imagined.

Vanier lived his values in the public eye and in private life. He consistently acted in alignment with the spiritual principles he taught—love, respect, and human dignity. L’Arche was not simply a charity; it was a living expression of his belief in the sacredness of every human life, regardless of ability. The integrity with which Vanier pursued this vision helped break down societal barriers and create a more inclusive environment for people with disabilities.

In his communities, Vanier created a model of peaceful living. He fostered reconciliation, understanding, and cooperation among people from diverse backgrounds and abilities. His commitment to peace was not only about avoiding conflict, but about nurturing an atmosphere of harmony, acceptance, and compassion, where differences were not sources of division but of mutual enrichment. Vanier’s approach reflected a deep metaphysical peace, grounded in his belief that all people are part of God’s creation and must live in harmony with one another.

Vanier’s life demonstrates that humility comes from recognizing the inherent worth and dignity in every person. From a metaphysical standpoint, we see that each person is a unique expression of the Divine, and humility is the practice of honoring that divine presence in ourselves and others. Vanier’s unwavering commitment to his principles reminds us that integrity is about alignment—between our highest spiritual truths and our daily actions. His ability to live authentically, grounded in his values, calls us to examine whether our own actions are reflective of our deepest beliefs. The peaceful communities Vanier built illustrate that true peace is cultivated from within and flows outward. By creating environments of love and acceptance, he showed that peace comes not just from the absence of conflict, but from the presence of God’s spirit of unity and compassion. Cultivating humility, integrity, and peace from a metaphysical perspective requires aligning our inner lives with divine principles. It means recognizing our oneness with others (humility), living in truth (integrity), and fostering inner and outer harmony (peace). The life of Jean Vanier and his work with L’Arche provide a tangible, real-world example of these virtues in action. As we strive to cultivate these virtues in our own lives, we too can reflect the light of Christ in the world and contribute to a more harmonious, inclusive, and loving society. Mark 9:38–50 “ “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out…”

We are called to live in a way that reflects His heart and character. In Mark 9:38-50, Jesus provides us with profound teachings on how to conduct ourselves in alignment with His values. These verses emphasize thevirtues of humility, integrity, and peace, each of which is essential for living a holy and harmonious life.

Humility: Recognizing Others in the Body of Christ Mark 9:38-41 In this passage, we find the disciple John expressing concern about someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name, yet not being part of their immediate group. John believed that this person’s actions were illegitimate because they didn’t belong to the circle of Jesus’ closest followers. Jesus, however, responded with profound wisdom: “Whoever is not against us is for us” (v. 40). This teaching brings us to the virtue of humility. Humility is recognizing that God’s work is not limited to our understanding or to those we think are most worthy. Sometimes, in our pride, we believe that God's blessings or spiritual authority are reserved for certain people or groups. But Jesus teaches us to embrace inclusivity, recognizing that God works through many people, even those outside our immediate sphere. Unity in Christ: We are all part of the body of Christ, and we each have a role to play (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Humility calls us to see the value in others, regardless of their background or affiliation. We should strive to avoid divisiveness. Don’t limit God’s work to just one group or mindset. Embrace others who serve Christ, recognizing that His grace is broad and far-reaching.

Service: Simple Acts of Kindness Reflect a Heart of Love Mark 9:41 Jesus goes on to say, “Anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward” (v. 41). This verse highlights the importance of service—a virtue that reflects the love of God through small, everyday acts of kindness. Jesus’ teaching reminds us that even the smallest gesture, when done in His name, carries eternal significance. We don’t need to perform grand or public acts of charity to serve God. Sometimes, the most profound expressions of faith and love are found in the simple, quiet acts of service—offering a kind word, helping someone in need, or showing compassion to the marginalized.

Generosity: Service is about giving without expecting anything in return

Philippians 2:4 “ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

This selflessness mirrors the heart of Christ.Application: Look for opportunities to serve others in small ways. Remember that these acts reflect a heart of love and are deeply valued by God.

Integrity: Avoiding Sin and Living as Examples of Holiness Jesus issues a stern warning in verses 42-48 about causing others to stumble. His words are vivid and uncompromising: “If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out” (v. 43). Here, Jesus stresses the importance of integrity. Integrity means living a life of holiness, being mindful of our actions, and ensuring that we are not leading others into sin. It requires self-discipline and a willingness to remove anything from our lives that causes us to falter. Integrity is not merely about avoiding sin for our sake, but about setting a godly example for others. Self-discipline: To maintain integrity, we must be vigilant in cutting off anything that causes us to stumble—whether it's a behavior, relationship, or habit.Application: Examine your life regularly. Ask yourself what might be hindering your spiritual growth or leading others astray. Commit to living with integrity by removing those stumbling blocks and living as an example of holiness.

Peace: Maintaining Harmonious Relationships with Others Jesus concludes this section by speaking of salt and peace. “Have salt among yourselves and be at peace with each other” (v. 50). Salt, in this context, represents purity and preservation. It also symbolizes the wisdom and discernment required to maintain unity and peace among believers. Peace is a key virtue. It’s not just about avoiding conflict; it’s about fostering harmony and reconciliation in our relationships. Jesus calls us to be agents of peace, preserving the purity of our interactions and resolving disputes with grace and love.

Pursuing Peace: Peace is more than an absence of conflict; it is the presence of Christ’s reconciling love. It’s a commitment to fostering understanding, compassion, and forgiveness in our communities. Seek peace in all your relationships. Be proactive in resolving conflicts and promoting unity.

Conclusion: A Call to Live out these Virtues In Mark 9:38-50, Jesus provides us with a clear roadmap for living out key virtues: Humility: Recognizing others in the body of Christ and avoiding pride or exclusivity.

Service: Simple acts of kindness reflect a heart of love and are precious in the eyes of God.Integrity: Living in a way that sets a holy example, removing any stumbling blocks from our lives.

Peace: Striving for harmonious relationships, fostering unity, and being agents of reconciliation.Each of these virtues—humility, service, integrity, and peace—reflects the heart of Christ. We are called to live them out in our daily lives, growing in purity, love, and grace. As we do so, we become a living reflection of Christ’s teachings, bearing witness to the Kingdom of God in our words, actions, and relationships.

Let us commit to living out these virtues. In a world often driven by pride, selfishness, dishonesty, and conflict, we are called to be different—to be humble, to serve, to walk in integrity, and to be peacemakers. In doing so, we not only reflect Christ’s character but also bring His light into the world.