Truly humbled....

I'm taking a wonderful class at our parish that covers the entire Catechism of the Catholic Church (our leader is amazing!).  This is invaluable to me as a fallen-away/returned Catholic.

It was after one of these classes this spring, that I had an amazing experience.

I was headed to my car, and was debating with myself if I should stop in the Adoration Chapel for awhile.  I had only been a couple of times, usually before or after Mass.  I had my Bible and Rosary with me (I rarely go anywhere without my Rosary). I sat in the car for a moment, and hadn't yet decided. I was parked in front of the Chapel.  I decided to open my Bible and see if something inspired me.

I had recently been praying for Humility. (Decrease me so that You Lord may increase in me.) I hadn't had it in the forefront of my mind, though. My Bible was new, and I hadn't read it enough to have it fall open to certain pages, and definitely not to Sirach, which I hadn't read before. So I just placed my fingers on the outside of the Bible, and opened it. I looked down and the first thing I saw was this (with the header and everything):

Sirach 3

Humility

17 My child, perform your tasks with humility;[a]
    then you will be loved by those whom God accepts.
18 The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself;
    so you will find favor in the sight of the Lord.[b]
20 For great is the might of the Lord;
    but by the humble he is glorified.
21 Neither seek what is too difficult for you,
    nor investigate what is beyond your power.
22 Reflect upon what you have been commanded,
    for what is hidden is not your concern.
23 Do not meddle in matters that are beyond you,
    for more than you can understand has been shown you.
24 For their conceit has led many astray,
    and wrong opinion has impaired their judgment.

Footnotes:

1. Sirach 3:17 Heb: Gk meekness
2. Sirach 3:18 Other ancient authorities add as verse 19, Many are lofty and renowned, but to the humble he reveals his secrets.

WOW!  That quite literally took my breath away! After I finished reading those verses and those around them, I was most certainly going inside to pray and worship our Lord and Savior.  I don't remember what I prayed that evening, although I'm sure I said a Rosary, as well as Praise and Thanksgiving. 

This has happened a few other times to me since then, and it's just as amazing.  Since I had been praying specifically for Humility, and then the HEADLINE of the chapter and verse I opened to had that exact header.....truly it was a sign from God.  I so love how the Holy Spirit works His wondrous ways in and around us.

Luke 14:10-12
10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
12 He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid.

Please pray for me and my Faith Journey, and that I may learn Humility.

Resources:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Sirach%203:17-29&version=NRSVCE
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07543b.htm