Delighting in Last Place

     “Among all the creatures in which we take pleasure and toward which our nature seems to be attracted the most, self undoubtedly holds the first place. There is no one, no matter how limited in talents and good qualities, who does not love his own excellence, and who does not try, in one way or another, to make it shine forth to himself and to others. It is for this reason that we often spontaneously exaggerate our own worth, and as a result are demanding and pretentious. This makes us haughty and arrogant, as well as difficult in our relations with others. Humility is the virtue which keeps within just limits the love of one’s own excellence. Whereas self-esteem often induces us to make ourselves too evident, or to occupy a place which a higher than our due, humility keep us in our own place. Humility is truth: it tends to establish in truth both our intellect – by making us know ourselves as we really are – and our life, by inclining us to take, in relation to God and to men, our proper place and no other.”                                                                                                                                           Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D.


     A story is told that when asked which virtues were needed to grow in holiness, St. Augustine answered, “There are three, humility, humility and humility.”


     We long to grow in holiness, yet fail to grow in humility. Humility is the indisputable foundation of the spiritual life and was fully evident in the life of Christ. After the fall, pride was one of the demons with which we’d have to struggle to overcome. Knowing our weakness, humility was a topic about which Jesus spoke again and again! He cautions us to take the lowest seat at a banquet and not the seat of honor:   to be humble in our prayer before God like the tax collector. “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Lk 14 vs 11, Lk 18 vs 14b).

          We are but creatures – not the Creator -- and must remember that fact. We must come to the realization that if God stopped thinking about us for an instant, we would no longer exist. We should realize our worth is derived from the fact that we are children of God who are loved by Him. Therefore, we must cling to our good God and depend upon His grace to overcome ourselves and do good. “I am the vine and you are the branches. Whoever remains in Me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without Me, you can do nothing” (Jn 15 vs 5).

     Like a little child, who holds on tightly to his parent, depending upon him for everything, we are called to become that child. Jesus tells us, “Amen I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18 vs 2b-3). A child delights in his littleness and dependence upon His parent. He realizes that he cannot do everything and gratefully looks for assistance.

     Recognizing our limitations should bring about humility. Also, acknowledging the fact that the gifts and talents we have come from God, will help us to accept and use them in right order. Not touting our gifts or ourselves for our greatness, but instead, giving glory to God for His generosity to us. “Who confers distinction upon you? What do you possess that you have not received? But if you have received it, why are you boasting as if you did not receive it ( 1 Cor 4 vs 7)?

     Humility is the truth of who we are with all of our virtues and vices. It is seeing ourselves and others as God does: nothing more – nothing less. It is the supernatural virtue that brings about an understanding of our relationship to God and that all that is good in us come from God.

      Pride, arrogance and vanity, which are the roots to all evil, will be combated by practicing the natural virtue of humility. How do we do this? How do we get past ourselves and move in this direction?

     We can start by begging and beseeching God to help us, by pouring the graces needed to become humble. Our actions must respond to the graces received and begin the practice of voluntary acts of humility.

     This could mean biting our tongue when we want to prove we are right about something. Now I’m not talking about a moral issue that we need to correct, but some insignificant fact that holds no moral ground: our spouse is telling a story and to our recollection, is incorrect about some little fact. Hold your thought. Do not verbalize it. Let it go. You will see how much you want to speak up. Don’t do it! You will grow in humility.

     You are with a group of people. There is someone there that you really don’t care about and would rather avoid. Engage them in conversation – even if it’s just very minimal. See if there is something you can compliment them on. Do it! Smile and move on to someone else. You are growing in grace.

     When complimented on a job well done, humility does not mean denying the accomplishment. True humility sees the truth and accepts the compliment by giving the glory to God; where it belongs.

     There are many ways in which we can voluntarily practice the virtue of humility. But there are also many opportunities that God will send our way, which won’t be quite as easy. Pray to become aware of all opportunities. In the beginning, we may be only able to acquiesce to them, but hopefully in time, with God’s grace, we will be able to even welcome them.

     Lastly, we must remember to always strive to imitate our dear sweet Jesus. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves” (Mt 11 vs 29). We are all looking for rest and peace for our souls. Striving to become humble will help you to achieve this goal. Keep your focus on Christ. Jesus is almighty God, yet became a man for us! He came to show us how to live. Live your humanity fully by living humbly!