2nd Week of Lent - Tuesday - Christian Humility

"Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted."

Jesus probably emphasized humility more than any other person who has ever lived; someone once said, humility was Jesus’ favorite virtue.

Jesus’ humility is beyond comprehension.  Last night we considered Jesus as the face of God's mercy.   He is also the face of humility.  Jesus, emptied Himself and became a human being.   Jesus chose to be born in a stable at Bethlehem. As a baby, he was a Refugee in Egypt. He lived in the obscure village of Nazareth. He had the menial job of a carpenter. During His public ministry, Jesus had nowhere to lay His head. Paul writes to the Philippians, “He humbled Himself even to death on a cross, the death of a slave.” 

The Lenten journey is one of humility.  We began Lent sprinkling our foreheads with ashes while hearing the words, “Remember man, you are dust, and to dust you will return.”  The word humility derives from the word meaning “earth”. 

Lenten acts of humility remind us of our need for God, our need for a savior. 

Humility is the virtue which combats the deadly sin of pride.  Where Pride refuses to face the truth, humility embraces the truth.  Where pride runs away from God in selfish independence, humility prostrates itself in surrender, beating it’s breast saying “have mercy on me a sinner.”

We might in fact live in the most arrogant, prideful ages in human history; for we have never seen such self-divorce from the divine.  But the humility the world needs begins in my own heart, seeking to serve others rather than its own selfish fascinations.

The Greek New Testament word for humility, tapeinophrosyne , literally means, thinking myself insignificant and lowly.  Think of yourself as the slave of others, as did our Lord.

St. Theresa of Avila, great mystic and doctor of the Church said, “The foundation of the entire edifice of prayer is humility.  Nothing matters more than humility.” 

We will never advance in the spiritual life, in sanctity, without humility, and lots of it. 

Humility recognizes that without God we can do nothing of any importance, and that the growth our soul truly longs for is found in deep surrender and deep obedience and devout service for the glory of God and salvation of souls.