In 1717, Louis XIV of France died.

Louis who called himself “the Great,” was the monarch who declared, “I am the State!” His court was the most magnificent in Europe and his funeral the most spectacular. His body lay in a golden coffin. To dramatize his greatness, orders had been given that the cathedral would be very dimly lighted with only a special candle set above the coffin. Thousands waited in hushed silence. Then Bishop Massilon began to speak. Slowly reaching down, he snuffed out the candle, saying, “only God is great.”

I need to hear that every day.