The word “humility” comes from the Latin word, “humus,” which means “earth” or “ground.” It can be used to describe someone who is lowly, but from a biblical perspective, we can say that it describes someone who knows they are made from the earth, and to the earth they will return.
In a posture of humility, Jesus washes the feet of the disciples and reminds them that they are not greater than the one who sent them. Then he says, “Whoever receives the one I send receives me.”
Is Jesus referring to the disciple he will send or to the Holy Spirit that he will send? It could very well be both. Dust of the earth that we are, infused by the Spirit, we become Christ in the world.
We have been sent. As Jesus did, may we also humbly love and serve the world.