Are we humble enough to walk with Christ...?

By Fr. Dan Debano
RR Ministerial

HUMILITY
“Whoever exalts himself shall be humble,
but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (Matt 23:12)

As we approach Holy Week, our attention is drawn on the greatest “humility” any human being had to undergo...the Crucifixion. Lent (forty-days before Easter)is a wonderful time to ask ourselves if we as individuals, as a community, and as a family are humble enough to walk with Christ to the Crucifixion?
Jesus implies that humility is a positive virtue. Most people seem to think it is a negative virtue at best and, in truth, a handicap. While many persons seem to think of humility as a repressive virtue, Jesus indicates that it is, in fact, a liberating one.
It is not easy, of course, to summarize what the Gospel of Matthew (23:12) means by humility. However, a great saint, St. Theresa described it in one word: truth. That seems to be an excellent definition, provided we understand it. To do that, we have to break it into two parts; Humility is truth, to be sure, but truth in self-knowledge and truth in action.
Truth in self-knowledge: This is the core of humility. It means that we have a real awareness of our human condition as creatures of God. It means that we do not lose sight of this most basic truth about ourselves: that God is our Creator and our loving Father. ”For the God who made the world and all that is in it, the Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands; nor does he receive man’s service as if he were in need of it. Rather, it is he who gives to all life and breath and everything else....In him we live and move and have our being...” (Acts 17:24-28)
The most basic truth about ourselves is that every gift and talent we have comes to us from God. Truth in self-knowledge demands only that we remember this. In other words, humility does not require that we deny the gifts and talents we have, only that we acknowledge where we come from. The theme song of the humble person is “Who confers any distinction on you? Name something you have, that you have not received. If, then, you have received it, why are you boasting as if it were your own?”
(1 Corinthians 4:7)
Truth in action: this means that our basic conviction about ourselves and our talents and abilities (as outline above) colours our manner, our speech, our association with others. Our entire bearing communicates that whatever talents we have are gifts of God. That is the truth, and we are happy to live in accord with it. We do not, therefore, put on airs, belittle others, lord it over them. We do not have to. We know the truth, and the truth makes us free.
Freedom is indeed one of the fruits of humility. It frees us from the tyranny of false images, from the petty conflicts of jealousy and envy, from the empty struggle to be what we are not. Humility lets us be ourselves. With it there is no more crazy fear of being passed over or neglected, no more phony desire to be praised or singled out. If there were more humility, would there not be less fear and tension in our lives? Fewer ulcers and fewer tranquilizers and fewer psychiatrists?
Thomas Merton has written wisely: “For a humble man is not afraid of failure. In fact, he is not afraid of anything, even himself, since perfect humility implies confidence in the power of God, before Whom no other power has any meaning and for whom there is no such thing as an obstacle.”
Peace is also a fruit of humility. The humble person is spared a good deal of the turmoil and anxiety that robs so many people of peace. Peace has been aptly described as “the tranquility of order.” In other words, we know who we are and why we are here and what God has done for us! Such a conviction brings deep peace.
Jesus spoke of the humble when he spoke of the “poor in spirit” and the “lowly”: those who recognized their need for God, their dependence on him. To them he promised happiness now and in the future (see Matt 5:3). No wonder he invited his disciples to “learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest” (Matt 11:29).
Let all of us go forth each day giving thanks for the many blessings God has bestowed upon our town and let not our pride get into the way. Humble pie from time to time may not be a bad thing after all.
GOD WILL DO THE REST
I asked the Lord to bless you
As I prayed for you today
To guide you and protect you As you go along your way
His love is always with you
His promises are true
And when we give Him all our cares
You know He will see us through.
So when the road you’re traveling on
Seems difficult at best
Just remember I’m here praying
And GOD WILL DO THE REST.