Humility, the greatest virtue?
Humility is one of the most important and most misunderstood virtues of christianity. We need to recover a correct conception.
The 7 virtues
The Catholic church tells us of 7 virtues to practice. The first four (which the pagans also had) are prudence (thoughtful action), justice (righteousness), fortitude (strength in difficult times) and temperance (being in control of oneself).
The three theological virtues are faith (in God), hope (that all will be well) and charity (for our neighbours and God).
Many theological treatises tell us how one of these influences the others. Especially the theological virtues are lacking in pagan and modern systems. All of the virtues form a lens to look at the world and grow closer to God. It is best to practice all of these, focusing on prudence during one week, and on justice in another week.
Through the practice of one of these, one comprehends the others. Through the practice of prudence, one grows also closer to temperance.
Humility comprises all other virtues
Humility originates from humus (the earth beneath us). Humility is in essence a self-emptying, in Matthew 16:24-26.
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24-26)
To be a disciple of Christ is to practice humility. Firstly, in denying himself. This achieved by a twofold pattern. Firstly, one contemplates his own sins and defects. This is in essence a lowering of opinion of oneself, a voluntary scourging, like Christ in His Passion. Ultimately, one feels empty because of this. There is something to be filled.
Secondly, we can then be filled and lifted up by divine Grace. Similarly, Christ was lifted up into Heaven by the Father. For this, we have to admit our lowliness. We have to open ourselves up, like a cup catching water. We cannot be a prideful mountain, from which the water just flows. We have to be able to catch the water.
but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. (John 4:14)
The grace of God is like a well of water that does not stop giving.
Humility comprises faith. Faith (fiducia), or trust in the Lord, is opening up to all his Goodness, again also similar to humility. Hope (spes) is trusting to something Good will come. Lastly, in charity (caritas) or love, humility is also contained. Loving another is humbling oneself to the other.
Humility is not true when it is to show off. Saying you’re humble is prideful. A strange paradox also called virtuesignalling.
A short comparison between Christianity and tyranny. A totalitarian system absorbs the identity of a person. Christianity allows individuals to exist, with their own identity, and also allows them to participate in a greater whole. This twofold pattern (existence at the individual and at a higher scale) is why Christianity is so beautiful.
Humility is how things exist
Pride in groups will ultimately lead to the destruction of the group. When a person grabs too much attention, he will become a point of tension. Ultimately the group will stop existing.
When all participants in a concert do their part (humble themselves for the greater good, by playing the correct part), the music piece will sound correct. Else, it will be horrible, and the group might disintegrate.
Ultimately, one of the deep mysteries of the gospels and of the passion, is the showing of humility.
"Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:15)
Christ is humble when he asks those who he performs miracles to not tell others. Christ does not complain about the crucifixion but carries on. Christ (and also Our Lady) are perfect images of the virtue of humility.
Humility is strength
Some think humility is a weakness. Humility is not weakness but strength. There is nothing greater than opening yourself up to the Father. Pride is a destructive pattern (a sin), which permeates society, wreaking havoc on all that come in touch with it. Humility is sweet like a rose, only the most spiritually advanced are able to notice it in others.
Humility is the greatest. A proper reintroduction is needed.
Litania Humilitatis
O Jesu, mitis et humilis corde, exaudi me.
A desiderio, ut amer, libera me Domine.
A desiderio, ut exalter, libera me Domine.
A desiderio, ut honorer, libera me Domine.
A desiderio, ut lauder, libera me Domine.
A desiderio, ut aliis praeterear, libera me Domine.
A desiderio, ut consular, libera me Domine.
A desiderio, ut approber, libera me Domine.
A timore, ne humilier, libera me Domine.
A timore, ne calumniam feram, libera me Domine.
A timore, ne oblivioni trader, libera me Domine.
A timore, ne irridear, libera me Domine.
A timore, ne iniuriam accipiam, libera me Domine.
A timore, ne suspiciar, libera me Domine.
Ut magis alii amentur quam ego, Iesu, da mihi gratiam ita desiderandi.
Ut plus alii aestimentur quam ego, Iesu, da mihi gratiam ita desiderandi.
Ut alii extollantur in mundi existimatione, ego autem minuar, Iesu, da mihi gratiam ita desiderandi.
Ut alii eligantur, ego autem praeterear, Iesu, da mihi gratiam ita desiderandi.
Ut alii mihi in omnibus rebus praeferantur, Iesu, da mihi gratiam ita desiderandi.
Ut alii me, dum sanctus fieri debeam, sanctiores sint, Iesu, da mihi gratiam ita desiderandi.
Amen.
Litany of Humility
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Amen.
I like to think of Humility as "becoming invisible". Like your example of music--in a choir, if a singer is singing too loud or off key, they will stick out. For a singer to contribute to the good of the whole, they must disappear into the whole.
St. Joseph is how I realized this. He is present in the gospels in the story of Christ's early life, performs his job, and--disappears, his work done, allowing his foster-son to take center stage and prominence.
For us to humble ourselves is to allow ourselves to disappear into God and let God shine through us--so that when people see us they are directed to glorify God, and not to glorify, well, us.
Thank you for this reflection!
Thank you, Zealot! Well done.