Article By: Iyo_Embong

“If I only had a little humility, I’d be perfect.” – Ted Turner

A battle rages within every one of us every day. It’s the clash between our sense of stubborn self-sufficiency, pride versus humility.

St. Bernard defines it: “A virtue by which a man knowing himself as he truly is, abases himself.” These definitions coincide with that given by St. Thomas: “The virtue of humility”, he says, “Consists in keeping oneself within one’s own bounds, not reaching out to things above one, but submitting to one’s superior.” Humility in a higher and ethical sense is that by which a man has a modest estimate of his own worth, and submits himself to others.

Humility or humbleness is a quality of being courteously respectful of others. It is the opposite of aggressiveness, arrogance, boastfulness, and vanity. Rather than, “Me first,” humility allows us to say, “No, you first.” Humility is the quality that lets us go more than halfway to meet the needs and demands of others.

Friendships, relationships and marriages are dissolved over angry words. Resentments divide families, friends and co-workers. Prejudice separates race from race and religion from religion. Reputations are destroyed by malicious gossip. Greed puts enmity between rich and poor. Wars are fought over arrogant assertions.

Acting with humility does not in any way deny our own self worth. Rather, it affirms the inherent worth of all persons. Humility dissipates anger and heals old wounds. Humility allows us to see the dignity and worth of ALL God’s people regardless of their faith. Humility distinguishes the wise leader from the arrogant power-seeker.

The story is told about a politician who visited a mental institution. As he went from ward to ward, people greeted him, except for one who just didn’t seem to care. “Don’t you recognize me? Do you know who I am?” the politician asked the patient. Silence. When he asked the third time, the patient shouted: “Doctors, there’s a guy here who doesn’t know who he is!”

In John 20: 19-31, the disciples did not recognize Jesus right away when He appeared to them after He rose from the dead. In fact, one of them, Thomas, doubted and did not believe unless he personally saw the proof. They did not know Jesus, and did not recognize Him.

The way to God’s heart is humility. The proud and the self-righteous don’t see that way, and don’t see it that way.

We meet and see all kinds of people every day. Often, sad to say, we see them as commodities, accessories or instrumentalities. Do we see and recognize the good things in people, especially in the poor and needy?

Have you ever experienced being locked out of your room or of your car? How about calling someone, sending emails or texts and not getting any reply? It is such a humbling and frustrating feeling. Or have you been denied access to something because you did not qualify? Have you experienced being denied access to someone, and were not even heard or welcomed? May we not give such a feeling to whoever comes seeking us. May our doors not be locked to people who disturb our comfort and convenient zones.

Jesus was open and accessible to anyone who came asking for help. He made sure, too, that no one waited for Him in vain, and that no one waited for Him too long. Why? Because, He told us, He knows what it is like to be kept waiting or to be shut out, and He does not want others to feel the humiliation and the rejection. Are there people in our lives to whom we give such a feeling?

May we all become “Instruments of Peace” before we rest in peace!

“Where there is hatred, let Your love increase

Where there is hatred, we will show His love

Where there is injury, we will never judge

Where there is striving, we will speak His peace

Where there is blindness, we will pray for sight

Where there is darkness, we will shine His light

Where there is sadness, we will bear their grief

Walls of pride and prejudice shall cease

When we are Your instruments of peace. “ – St. Francis

Article By: Iyo_Embong