“We are told to accept heaven as children, not because we are to see ourself as less than we are, but because we are but children. We do not know where we are, or who we are, or right from wrong, or anything- until we realize that we know nothing above that of God’s voice. Children are humble, and seek truth- and try to obey their parents. We too must look into ourselves, and see our knowledge of ourselves nothing before God, that we may hear, and obey, as though we had never heard before. We however, must see our reliance, and not blind ourselves to truth, or accept anything another says, for wisdom to God, is our version of foolishness. Ultimately, the humble man is the man who sees himself as he is, and knowing such- obeys God, his superior, reflecting always, and using the sacraments to put to death his other, evil man!” Marc Aupiais
-Marc Aupiais
Definition
- Of low birth, conditions, circumstance, or value.
- Lowliness, of little worth, or submissive.
- To place one’s self in his true place, recognizing his own inadequacy, and foolishness, and seeking to gain truer knowledge, and above that wisdom, that he may better obey God, in his low position, which truly is low.
Humility (See Psalm 18)
Humility is vital to uplifting oneself before God. God aids those, who know their place and act according to it. Humility is an action of the beatitudes, whereby one realizes, not only his lack of self-gained objects and things, but also that his life is not defined by his possessions,
neither that of popularity, which belonged to Jesus with the same crowd who crucified him,
nor with his wealth, which cannot save him, and is subject to change with the season, and disappear with thieves, rust, age, or the whims of fate and natural disasters,
nor only with his own good habits (Psalm 18 verse 32), and virtue, which is given by God, and can be taken away, and are worthless without Charity (Christian word for love as in I Corinthians 13),
nor with knowledge, or shrewdness, which can be taken away, or turn out to be less than perceptions,
nor with his physical appearance, which can age, be the subject of damage, or change, or perhaps is not a great as one thinks it to be, or perhaps is greater,
nor with his physical appearance, which can age, be the subject of damage, or change, or perhaps is not a great as one thinks it to be, or perhaps is greater,
nor with good reputation- the gift of society to the false prophets and enemies of God,
nor with his family and friendships, or livestock, or the achievements of his life, all can be taken, and achievements can become worthless, or disgraced in different societies.
Rather- the humble man does not compare himself with others, but rather with holiness, and aims purely of heart- that he may become holy as God is holy, and humbles himself, no longer competing for endless trivia, but rather empty of any thought of self reliance, in such a way that he relies utterly on God, aiming for the things of God, and focusing on what is best for both self and neighbor, but firstly for the aims of God. The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi is one of humility, and honest, self denying truth.
This does not give a man the right to no longer work, for he must work, both for self and for God, and to give to those who are in need. This does not entitle a man to degrade himself, or his church, rather- false humility is sin. Rather- it is the utter readjustment of the conscience, in such a way that one values that in heaven over that on earth. The greatest in heaven serves all.
Catechism of the Catholic Church on humility
“2729 The habitual difficulty in prayer is distraction. It can affect words and their meaning in vocal prayer; it can concern, more profoundly, him to whom we are praying, in vocal prayer (liturgical or personal), meditation, and contemplative prayer. To set about hunting down distractions would be to fall into their trap, when all that is necessary is to turn back to our heart: for a distraction reveals to us what we are attached to, and this humble awareness before the Lord should awaken our preferential love for him and lead us resolutely to offer him our heart to be purified. Therein lies the battle, the choice of which master to serve.16“
“2778 This power of the Spirit who introduces us to the Lord’s Prayer is expressed in the liturgies of East and of West by the beautiful, characteristically Christian expression: parrhesia, straightforward simplicity, filial trust, joyous assurance, humble boldness, the certainty of being loved.” http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p4s2a2.htm
“2742 “Pray constantly . . . always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our LordJesus Christ to God the Father.”33 St. Paul adds, “Pray at all times in the Spirit, with allprayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance making supplication for all the saints.”34 For “we have not been commanded to work, to keep watch and to fastconstantly, but it has been laid down that we are to pray without ceasing.”35 This tirelessfervor can come only from love. Against our dullness and laziness, the battle of prayer is that of humble, trusting, and persevering love. This love opens our hearts to three enlightening and life-giving facts of faith about prayer.”
“489 Throughout the Old Covenant the mission of many holy women prepared for that ofMary. At the very beginning there was Eve; despite her disobedience, she receives the promiseof a posterity that will be victorious over the evil one, as well as the promise that she will be the mother of all the living.128 By virtue of this promise, Sarah conceives a son in spite of herold age.129 Against all human expectation God chooses those who were considered powerlessand weak to show forth his faithfulness to his promises: Hannah, the mother of Samuel;Deborah; Ruth; Judith and Esther; and many other women.130 Mary “stands out among thepoor and humble of the Lord, who confidently hope for and receive salvation from him. After along period of waiting the times are fulfilled in her, the exalted Daughter of Sion, and the newplan of salvation is established.”131“
“1218 Since the beginning of the world, water, so humble and wonderful a creature, has been the source of life and fruitfulness. Sacred Scripture sees it as “oveshadowed” by the Spirit ofGod:12“
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P3I.HTM
Catechism of the Catholic Church- Compendium
Catechism of the Catholic Church- Compendium
“573. Are there objections to prayer?
2726-2728
2752-2753
2752-2753
Along with erroneous notions of prayer, many think they do not have the time to pray or that praying is useless. Those who pray can be discouraged in the face of difficulties and apparent lack of success. Humility, trust and perseverance are necessary to overcome these obstacles.”http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html
Bible on humility
“ It is right that the brother in humble circumstances should glory in being lifted up,
10 and the rich in being brought low. For the rich will last no longer than the wild flower;” James Chapter 1, verse 10 (New Jerusalem Bible)
“9 Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ” Gospel according to Matthew Chapter 11 verse 9 (New Jerusalem Bible
“2:3 Seek Yahweh, all you humble of the land, who have kept his ordinances. Seek righteousness. Seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of Yahweh’s anger. ” Zephaniah Chapter 2, verse 3 (New Jerusalem Bible)
“8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. “Book of Ezra, Chapter 8 verse 21 (new Jerusalem Bible)
“16 Give the same consideration to all others alike. Pay no regard to social standing, but meet humble people on their own terms. Do not congratulate yourself on your own wisdom. “Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans Chapter 12 verse 16 (New Jerusalem Bible)
“5 Say to the daughter of Zion: Look, your king is approaching, humble and riding on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” (about Jesus) Gospel According to Matthew, chapter 21, verse 5 (New Jerusalem Bible)
“1 I urge you by the gentleness and forbearance of Christ-this is Paul now speaking personally-I, the one who is so humble when he is facing you but full of boldness at a distance. ” 2nd Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 10, verse 1 (New Jerusalem Bible)
“27 you save a people that is humble
and humiliate those with haughty looks.”
and humiliate those with haughty looks.”
Psalm 18, verse 27 (New Jerusalem bible)
Quotes on humility
“”In keeping with this,” continued the Pontiff, “sin is seen as a wound that penance alone can heal.”
“A man that has been injured in battle,” says Aphraates, “is not ashamed to put himself in the hands of a doctor. … Equally so, he who has been injured by Satan should not be ashamed to admit his fault and to distance himself from it, asking for the medicine of penance.”
Benedict XVI said that Aphraates also wrote that “Christian life is centered on the imitation of Christ, taking up his yoke, following him on the path of the Gospel,” and that humility is the main virtue of a disciple.
“It is not a secondary consideration in the spiritual life of a Christian,” said the Pope. “By remaining humble, even in his earthly surroundings, a Christian can establish a relationship with the Lord.”
“God is attracted to the man who loves, it is right to love humility and to stay humble,” the Holy Father said, quoting Aphraates. “Humble individuals are simple, patient, loving, honest, righteous, experts in what is good, prudent, serene, wise, calm, peaceful, merciful, ready to convert, benevolent, profound, thoughtful, beautiful and attractive.”
“It is true that at times Jesus became powerful, he worked great miracles but he feared that people would see in him the Powerful One who does great things instead of the One who seeks to give Communion. So Jesus becomes little, he is humble and this because we admire the powerful, but we love the little ones, the child, the person who is weak, fragile. So for me Jesus is the One who becomes little, he is God who becomes little, who hides in the poor, the humble, the weak, the dying, the sick; because all these people who are particularly fragile are longing for love and I see this as the mystery of Jesus and that Jesus is love. Just as God is Love. Jesus is Love. Jesus knelt down in front of his disciples, he washed the feet of his disciples saying: «I must give you an example so that you will do what I am doing». So I think the world is waiting for a saviour who is little and humble and who comes to give love. «Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you my rest, because I am meek and humble of heart». I think that the whole mystery of Jesus is contained in these words: «I bend over him like a font of mercy» because all he wants is to love, to give his heart and all that He asks of us is to offer our hearts, and to receive this mystery of God’s love, the presence of Jesus. So for me Jesus is the One who is meek and humble of heart, who hides in the poor and who says, as we read in the Book of Prophets: «My son, give me your heart».“
“I know the new Pope personally. I have had the honor of meeting him several times over the years in Rome. He is a very humble, personable man, quite different from the hard-line “enforcer” image which is often portrayed of him.”
“St. Bernard defines it: “A virtue by which a man knowing himself as he truly is, abases himself.” ” http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07543b.htm
Resources Used
Vatican site
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Catechism of the Catholic Church- Compendium
Jubilee
Zenit News
New Jerusalem Bible on Catholic Online
retrieved from
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/12/02/humility/
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