“Live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love.” – Ephesians 4:1-2
As I write this message to you, I am sitting in the CARITAS For Children Learning Center in Nkokonjeru, Uganda. Since the moment we arrived, the generosity, humility, and gentleness of the Ugandan people has been clearly evident. Countless people have greeted us with a warm handshake and the words, “You are most welcome to Uganda.”
It is not just the words but the way in which they are said that tell the truth. I have not met a single person – man, woman, child, religious sister, or priest – who has introduced himself with any hint of arrogance or self-importance. In a word, they have true self-knowledge.
Please allow me to explain: The people of Uganda generally have fewer material conveniences than their counterparts in the United States or Europe. Yet, they carry themselves with the quiet confidence of a people who know that they possess great dignity, simply because they are children of God.
They seem much more aware of their great need for God compared to people from America. They know that they are not entitled to anything, but that instead all things are gifts from the Lord – especially other people.
As such, they seem to more easily recognize this dignity in others. They greet each other with reverence and a politeness that people in the US might call old-fashioned. They truly spend time together, because frankly, it’s important. They make time for meals, and they “take tea” in the afternoon.
In particular, the priests have impressed me. I am certain that the authority they possess might greatly tempt them to abuse such power. Instead, they seem to serve God and God’s people with an attitude of obedience. In the liturgy and daily life they do not make themselves the center of attention through grand displays, but they let God speak loudly through their quiet demeanor and humble prayer on behalf of the people.
Then there are the religious sisters… Talk about an explosion of joy! We have been staying with the Little Sisters of St. Francis, whose humor and hospitality have truly made us feel at home here in Uganda. My hope and prayer is that we all can grow in the virtues of humility and joy, so that we might live, as Saint Paul said, “in a manner worthy of the call we have received.”
Glory and praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory. Hosanna in the highest! Amen.