Editor’s note: This is a reprint from 2012, but still so true!
One of the hardest Christian virtues for me to master is humility. It seems the more I try to do it “my way,” the more lost I become.
God has called us all to evangelize. We cannot do this without His grace. First, though, we should take a tip from the saints and beg the Lord for humility, humility, humility. Believe me, you do not have to implore the good Lord very long for this. For me, the answer to this prayer seems to come immediately…and in a way I didn’t want!
Some years ago I stumbled upon the “Litany of Humility” in the Pieta Prayer Booklet. It seemed whenever I prayed this litany, I was sorry.
One phrase states, “That others may be preferred to me in everything.” Ouch! That hurts my ego. Proof that I have more growing to do!
God knows what we need. So although I argue with the Lord, “Please, let me be humbled with
a small inexpensive home, clothes, or car,” He has the best idea.
“No Mary, you can be humbled by suffering humiliation for Me or being “forgotten” at a social event,” He seems to tell me. However, God often uses those closest to me to teach me; a curt word from a friend, or being the object of gossip or falling into gossip myself.
I’ve found, though, once we let ourselves be humbled, we truly can grow.
St. Francis loved humility. He was disowned by his father for following the Lord’s calling. He was cast out by his brother friars because they felt his Rule was too difficult to live, but He loved the Lord more than he loved the praise of men.
Furthermore, let us produce worthy fruits of penance. Let us also love our neighbors as ourselves. Let us have charity and humility. Let us give alms because these cleanse our souls from the stains of sin…
We must not be wise and prudent according to the flesh. Rather we must be simple, humble and pure. We should never desire to be over others. Instead, we ought to be servants who are submissive to every human being for God’s sake. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on all who live in this way and persevere in it to the end. He will permanently dwell in them. They will be the Father’s children who do his work. They are the spouses, brothers and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Words of St. Francis
The next time you suffer some small or great humiliation remember Jesus did so also…and we are not greater than the Master.
Copyright © 2012, Mary Mitchell
Mary Mitchell
Mary Mitchell, from Chicago, is a devout Catholic who likes to mix the divine truth with humor. She thinks it's the only way we can get through this life! Mary is the mother of three and has been married to her husband, Philip, more than 20 years. She has attempted to live the vows as a Secular Franciscan for about 20 years, but has a long way to go.
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