His Humility and mine

Philippians 2.1-11(Sunday next before Easter)

5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The BCP Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Humility

O Master and Lord,

thou art meek and lowly of heart,

thou that hast told us to learn of thee,

teach me to be little in my own eyes;

bestow the grace of humility

which thou didst so wonderfully grace;

as corner stone to every virtue,

as doom and death to pride,

as rest unto my soul.

Bestow it, through the avenue of holy fear,

for that thou art very high exalted,

all sovereign, all holy,

the first, the last, the everliving One,

and I, apart from thee, nothing.

Bestow it, better, through a lively gratitude

to thee, who hast given me being by thy Word

and sonship by the Cross;

who hast guarded, guided, and forgiven me,

called and recalled me

to thy work, thy suffering, thy victory, thy peace.

But, most and best, of thy love

bestow a lowliness flaming with love,

that asks nothing but to give,

claims nothing but to serve,

and offers heart, mind, soul, and strength

to Thee who givest all

and, above all, Thyself.

(Dean Eric Milner-White of York, in 'My God My Glory'. 1967)