Here’s a scriptural litany suitable based on gospel images of humility. It was written by Katherine Hawker, based on Matthew 23:12 and other gospel accounts evoking this refrain.
(based on Matt. 23: 1-12, Luke 14: 7-10, Matt. 18: 1-3, Luke 18: 9-14)
Now Jesus told a parable to those who were invited, when he marked how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, " When you are invited by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest a more eminent man than you be invited by him; and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you." (Luke 14:7-10)
For every one who exalts themselves will be humbled,
and they who humble themselves will be exalted.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:1-3)
For every one who exalts themselves will be humbled,
and they who humble themselves will be exalted.
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others: " Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other." (Luke 18:9-14)
For every one who exalts themselves will be humbled,
and they who humble themselves will be exalted.
Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice. They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the market places, and being called rabbi by men. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant." (Matthew 23:1-11)
For every one who exalts themselves will be humbled,
and they who humble themselves will be exalted.
— Copyright © Katherine Hawker, 2002. Posted on her Liturgies Outside the Box website.
