12 February: More on Humility

Humility is like the “pearl of great price” (Mt 13:45) and, like the merchant in the parable, we shall gladly sell all because we must buy it. Many think that humility is something forced and unnatural. In reality, it is most conformable to truth and justice. Except for the disorder due to original sin, we should all be naturally humble.

Some think that humility forbids us to: 1) conceal our faults; 2) sustain our just rights and privileges; 3) let our talents be known; and 4) allow ourselves to be esteemed for our wise and careful direction of affairs.

All this is a mistake. None of these things is contrary to humility when they are necessary for the glory of God, or the good of souls; and when we have no other aim, no desire for our own interests or exaltation.

Some equate humility with cowardice; that a humble man must avoid great or novel works. On the contrary, when a proud man recoils before trials and fears failure, the humble man, ignoring such thoughts, moves steadily forward. He says with St Paul: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:14)

Behold Mary, the most humble of creatures. She acknowledges to all the world the great privileges and graces she has received -- “He that is mighty has done great things to me.” (Lk 1:49) She ascribes all glory to God: “My soul magnifies the Lord.” (Lk 1:46)

Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp374-6

Our Blessed Mother’s gift and example

To the world for all of us to imitate, she magnified God’s glory. Mary’s will was God’s Will, and she was open to his gifts. Mary’s role is that of model and intercessor before the throne of God on behalf of all mankind, as the words of this beautiful hymn proclaim:

“You are all beautiful, O Mary, and the stain of original sin is not in you. You are the glory of Jerusalem,You are the joy of Israel. You are most honored by our people; Intercede for us to the Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Ref: Ted and Maureen Flynn, “The Thunder of Justice”, pp83-4

A humble person hates ‘to show off’

He knows very well that the position he occupies is for service, not to receive compliments. And should he be in a place of honour, “this position of excellence has been given to him by God so that he may become useful to others, from which it follows that ... as the witness of others ought to be pleasing to him, so much the more should he contribute to their good.” (St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, II-II, q131)

We ought to be in our proper place, always conscious that we are in the presence of God, determined not to allow our judgment to be distorted by ambition. Much less should we be led by vanity into a mad scramble for higher and higher positions for which we might be incompetent and later on will lead to our humiliation.

This does not mean that God has not called us to make the best use of our talents and to make many sacrifices in using our time well. On the contrary, humility is opposed to a lack of the right intention in one’s work, clearly a symptom of pride. The humble person knows his place, however exalted or lowly it may be.

Another manifestation of humility is not making negative judgments about other people. The awareness of our own weakness will deter us from entertaining “a bad thought about anyone, even if the words or conduct of the person in question give good grounds for doing so”. (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 442) We regard others with respect and understanding.

Among the ways of attaining humility is, firstly, ardently to desire, value and ask God for it. Then aim to foster docility in resolutely carrying out the advice received in spiritual direction, to receive fraternal correction joyfully and gratefully, and to accept humiliation in silence for love of God. Jesus is the supreme example of humility.

Ref: Cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:202-3

The Mystery of Creation

“Let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us, for He is our God; we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.” (Ps 95:11) ‘Come, let us adore!’

This prayer contains an invitation addressed to the human intellect and to the will and the heart as well.

It is the most fundamental invitation: come out and go to meet God, who is the Creator! Your Creator!

With God, to whom everything which is, owes its existence. With God, who, as Creator, stands ‘above’ all creation, above the cosmos, and at the same time embraces and penetrates this cosmos to the farthest depths, to the essence of all things. ‘Come out to meet God, who is the Creator!’

This is the prime, fundamental call to understanding enlightened by faith; indeed it is the prime invitation to understanding, sincerely seeking the Truth along the paths of science and philosophical reflection.

Confirmation of this might be found in the declarations of men of science over the centuries and in our own age as well. Newton, for example, affirmed, and I quote, [that] ‘an intelligent and powerful Being ... governs all things, not as the soul of the world, but as Lord of the universe, and because of his dominion He is usually called Lord God, Pantocrator’.

Einstein, for his part maintained that ‘science without religion is lame, and religion without science is blind’. He said: ‘I desire to know how God created the world. I am not interested in this or that phenomenon, nor in the spectre of a chemical element. I wish to know God’s thought: the rest is detail.’

Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp95-6

You can! -- “Dear Lady, Mother of God, and my Mother, not in the remotest way do I wish that you may ever be anything less than Mistress and Empress of the whole of creation.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 376)

• Our Lady of Argenteuil, near Paris, built by Clovis I in the year 101. This priory preserves a portion of the seamless garment of our Lord.— Thomas Bosius, lib. ix., de Signis, ecclesiae, o. 9. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Argenteuil, Paris, in church built by Clovis I (101) containing a portion of the Seamless Garment. (www.divine will.org/feastofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of Argenteuil (near Paris) Church built by Clovis. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• “Notre Dame d'Argenteuil”. Church and convent on the Seine River, near Paris, France. Sometimes said to have been built by Clovis I in the year 101, although Clovis actually reigned 481-511. A setting for part of the story of Abelard & Heloise. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• The Virgin of Mt Athos (Moscow, Russia). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Iweron (Moscow, Russia). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)