The Sweetness of Humility

For I am meek and humble of heart – Jesus Christ

Humility is the virtue from which all other virtues flow making it most important. When we’re baptized we become children of God. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, was the perfect model of humility. He emptied Himself to do God’s will. As children of God it should be natural for us to follow the example of Jesus our Divine brother. God wishes only good things for His children. Practicing the virtue of humility with a loving and giving heart, thinking less of ourselves and focusing more on others will bring us the peace in our lives that God intended. Being humble means accepting what God gives us with gratitude and without question. We practice the virtue of humility by using the gifts God gave us for goodness and holiness. We show that we understand what it means to be humble when we don’t seek the limelight, when we forgo judging or criticizing others and don’t brag about ourselves. A humble person doesn’t portray a holier than thou attitude.

Doesn’t this seem like logical behavior for children of God? Yet, most of my life I felt something was wrong. I didn’t like the way I interacted with others. For whatever reason I had fallen into bad patterns of behavior. I was making it unpleasant for people to be around me. I needed to learn to use the virtue of humility that God gives us. Once I became aware that I desperately needed to be humble, I prayed to the Holy Spirit asking Him to renew this virtue in me. I pleaded Holy Spirit “fill me with the fire of thy love.” I knew that with Divine Love I’d have a better chance of becoming the humble person God intended me to be. I asked the Holy Spirit to guide me, to help me overcome years and years of bad behavior, to undo and rethink.

Never attempt to become humble without asking for God’s help otherwise our selfish human nature will turn our so called humility into just another way to get the attention we believe we want and need. Examples would be such as helping out a neighbor and bragging about it to others. Doing something good because other people are around and will see us. It’s okay for others to see us do good. This is called being a Christian, giving good example but this must not be our motive for doing good. And as we find our self improving in this area find our self improving in all areas. This is what the God’s precious gift of humility does for us.

“Humility is not only necessary to the obtaining of grace, but without it we are the enemies of God. He resists the proud; that is, they have God fighting against them, and regarding them as His enemies. How awful a thing to have God for our adversary. It was this that rendered the devils forever accursed… If I wish God to fight for me, not against me, the first condition is humility…Our Lord is not satisfied with teaching us by His example; He also gives a positive command. ‘Learn of Me for I am meek and humble of heart.’ Out of all the virtues He came to teach us, He selects His humility as that to the practice of which He binds us, by which we are to become like to Him…Humility does not spring up in our souls of its own accord. On the contrary, every child of Adam has a deep root of pride within his soul. It is only by a long and painful process that the generality of mankind can attain humility…We must pray for humility. No gift of God can be won without prayer, and humility least of all, because it is so opposed to the natural bent of our nature, and can never be had without a special grace from God. Prayer, moreover, is an acknowledgement of our dependence on God, and humility consists in nothing else than a recognition of this dependence and an acquiescence in it. Pray, then, for humility.” - Richard F. Clarke, S.J.*

So happily I’ve been praying for the gift of humility.

Here’s how the Holy Spirit is helping me:

1. He tells me to listen more and talk less. I need to be sincerely interested in other’s worries and concerns and be compassionate.
2. I must learn to be aware of the needs of others on a daily basis. There are so many little opportunities to do something for someone.
3. I mustn’t interrupt in order to have my say. If I don’t get a chance to say what I wanted to say it doesn’t matter for the most part.
4. When I fall into old patterns, I’m usually able to realize what’s happening pretty quickly and catch myself. Sometimes an apology is necessary. Other times I just need to stop talking.
5. I need to stay calm.
6. The Holy Spirit has made me a joyful person and I don’t get angry so easily or my anger is channeled in positive ways such as concern over injustice and a desire to right wrongs.
7. The Holy Spirit reminds me not to be concerned with receiving praise. If someone does praise me I should simply say thank you. However to use the virtue of humility effectively it’s probably best to discipline myself not to seek praise remembering that I’ll receive my reward in Heaven.

Thank you Holy Spirit for showing me the sweetness of humility.

*http://www.catholicpamphlets.net/pamphlets/Humility.pdf