Humility

Jesus said, “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).

            When I was in the Seminary, I had a classmate who did not get the highest marks in our courses. He was not the best at serving Mass when it was his turn to do so. Many of his friends knew a lot more about world events or social trends than he did. Yet, he never attempted to hide his limited knowledge or abilities but freely admitted them. While the rest of us worked to prove our competence in everything, he quietly accepted his place in the world and drew strength from it. His humility gained him the respect of everyone at the Seminary and made him a great Priest.

            In this passage from Luke, Jesus teaches some Pharisees that those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted. By doing so, he stresses the value of humility in the Spiritual Life.

            Within the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament humility was an important Spiritual quality because through it the Jewish people recognized individually and collectively their dependence on God. It was Divine intervention which protected the poor and weak from the distress imposed upon them by the rich and powerful. God’s actions liberated the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt and insured the survival of the Jewish nation when it was oppressed by foreign powers. In many Biblical stories, God humbled arrogant leaders such as the Pharoah of Egypt and Amon of Israel while he exalted those who humbled themselves like David and Manasseh. During a dinner with some Pharisees, Jesus applied this quality to a daily event. Social standing determined where one sat at the meal. The highest place of honor was on the right side of the host with other couches in descending order of proximity to it, based upon one’s status. If one was in a place reserved for a guest with a higher standing, demotion to a lower spot and the humiliation which it implied, was inevitable. If one took a lower place, promotion to a higher spot and the exaltation which came with it became a possibility. Christ demonstrated humility was the recognition and acceptance of one’s lack of control over one’s position in the world. As guests depended upon the host for the determination of their seats at a dinner, Disciples relied upon God for the circumstances in which they lived. This lack of control meant humility was a wise response to the unknowns of Human existence.

            Christ’s Teaching about humility stands in sharp contrast to the cult of celebrity found in our Modern world. Greatness is achieved by drawing attention to oneself. Those who have good looks, charming personalities or extraordinary physical abilities, such as entertainers or athletes, easily attain this status. Ordinary people appear on “reality” Television Shows and share intimate details about their lives or do scandalous things in order to get noticed. Since the competition for the public’s attention is fierce, individuals must do more extreme things to maintain it. Yet, what is attractive or popular today may not be tomorrow. Life is full of unknowns we can’t anticipate. Jesus understood true greatness does not diminish over time. By recognizing and accepting one’s limitations and lack of control over life, a Disciple becomes contented with his/her place in life. This humility protects them from the self-inflicted humiliation caused by pride while allowing for the possibility of acclamation from God and others. Catholics and other people of Faith know the best way to promote their Faith is to humbly live it out in the ordinary events of life such as at a dinner rather than advertise themselves as a “great” Disciple.

            One way in which humility can be lived out is to accept whatever task is suggested when you offer to help with a project. While many people will volunteer to assist with an undertaking, they often want a task which will show off their abilities. Few want the jobs which are routine or difficult. Yet, someone has to do them in order for the project to be a success. Humility involves subordinating personal satisfaction to the Common Good. When someone offers to help with an undertaking, they do not know which job they will be assigned. Accepting it and doing it well, no matter how boring or hard, makes a statement about one’s character. It says the individual is comfortable in whatever circumstances he/she finds themselves and doesn’t measure self-worth by comparing themselves with others.

            As my classmate taught me in the Seminary, humility is not a sign of poor self-image but of true greatness. It is God’s idea of greatness not that of our society or ourselves which counts.

 

August 28, 2022