As I pen this article, I’m aware that I am not qualified to broach this subject. However, I feel compelled to air my reflections on this most sublime virtue of humility in view of the weight it carries in our Christian faith.
I was never able to comprehend the never-ending battle with sin and temptation until, suddenly, it hit me that it is almost always my inordinate pride that gets in the way of my spiritual life. Our tussle with sin, particularly those of unforgiveness and the deep-seated bitterness towards our enemies or the evil inclinations that we have, are the result of our strong sense of self-importance. The self-fixated spirit in us makes it difficult for us to let go and forgive, besides leading to all other vices making way for our spiritual passivity. Quite often, we deify ourselves with deceptive notions like ‘I am good’, ‘I am deserving of all that’s good’, ‘I am better than others’, and so on while forgetting the one true ‘I AM’ who is God alone and who alone is everything that’s perfect. Having said that, if there’s an antidote that could prevent the stunting of our spiritual growth, it is the adoption of a ‘humble’ mindset.
Ask the Master of Humility
In our most trying times, we have the powerful words of Christ strengthening us – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt 11:28-29). Christ specifically emphasizes that we have to learn from Him who is gentle and humble in heart in order to tackle sin and difficulties. He teaches us that a humble heart alone can deal with hardships, grief, and temptations effortlessly without having our composure ruffled.
Looking closely at Philippians 2:6 would help us understand the humble nature of Christ where St Paul hashes over this great attribute of God: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage”. Therefore, if Christ had emptied Himself to the point of not regarding himself as God, surely there’s no reason at all for us to believe we are something when, in fact, we are nothing. Genesis 3:19 lays it on the line “..for dust you are and to dust you will return.” This doesn’t imply a diminished self-worth, but it is about recognizing our place in the natural order of things.
Another manifestation of this admirable quality can be found in Luke 18: 18-19, where a ruler asks Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus responds, “Why do you call me good? No one is good—except God alone”. While this response might seem baffling to us, it’s actually our Lord’s exemplary display of humility.
Mary, the humblest of creatures
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a flawless vessel chosen by God to accomplish the plan of salvation. And so, she had to be perfect in every conceivable way. Endowed with great graces, she always proved to be a woman of virtues with ‘humility’ shining forth in her words and deeds. Startled at St Gabriel’s greeting of “Hail Mary, full of grace…,” she responded with a humble air, “I am the servant of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word.”
Exorcists who recount their experiences always refer to demons shuddering at the very sight of our Blessed Virgin Mary, who find her humility extremely revulsive. Not surprisingly, in the rite of Exorcism, the priest says, “The glorious Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, commands you. She who by Her humility and from the first moment of Her Immaculate Conception crushed your proud head.
Thus, we see, in our spiritual warfare, humility is an indispensable grace needed for our victory against the evil one. Saints had it aplenty, which made it easy for them to pull off in their fight against the wicked adversary.
God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble
James 4:6 states, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ The verse makes it absolutely clear that humility is the surest way of pleasing God; we stand to win his favor by being humble, and the quest for attaining this grace of humility begins with acknowledging our sinfulness. A case in point is how St. Peter’s recognition of his unworthiness was duly rewarded by God in Luke 5. When he fell down to his knees and said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Jesus reassured Peter, saying, “Don’t be afraid; from now on, you will catch people.”
And again in the last moments of His life, as soon as the good thief confessed that he has sinned and his punishment is just, God instantly rewards him with the assurance of paradise.
Discipleship of Christ
A single instruction of Christ when being adhered to would bring us to the path of perfection making us His worthy followers and this is laid down in Matt 16: 24 – Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Unequivocally, this is a call to be humble, a call of self-denial. It necessitates making sacrifices for God and our fellow human beings without counting the personal costs. If we are to foster a deep connection with God, we must cultivate a humble heart. Our penitential preparation in the Lenten season is only meaningful when we seek diligently for the grace to be humble. Living in humility can help us maintain our calm amidst all chaos.
