At times I struggle to live humbly. One could assume that because I am a mother of young children whose activities keep me pulled in so many directions I can barely cook a decent meal and whose honesty rarely shies away from pointing out my shortcomings, that humility would be part of my job description—but they would be wrong.
Like most people, I have those desires to be respected and praised, simple as those praises might be. Yes, my heart skips a beat when I hear such words as, “I don’t know how you do it.” And I dare say that even being jokingly touted by a fellow mother as “Mother of the Year” for a mere millisecond can feel as though I’ve won the Pulitzer Prize.
Living a life of true humility simply does not come easily for anyone. We live in a culture that measures our success by not only how we act, but also by how others perceive us. Consequently we work, we twist, and we manipulate that perception of ourselves so the world sees our best face and gives us its approval, and consequently we can feel successful. Faced most recently with Benedicts XVI’s final resignation from the papacy due to his failing physical health, however, I have been reminded of what a true heart of humility looks like.
As Catholic commentators have noted, Benedict’s decision was taken after much thought, prayer, and contemplation. Taken at his word, his decision therefore embodies a Christian call that draws no distinction between pope, president, or ordinary mother. It is a call to live in humble service to God, not the world.
It is the same kind of humble service Jesus speaks of most directly on the mountain when He delivers the Beatitudes and says, “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5: 5). It is the same kind of humble service Saint Paul embraces when he states, ”I take pleasure in my weakness, and in the insults, hardships, persecution, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
Simply put, it is the kind of humble service that lets go of all the power, fame, and glory from the world when God says it is not something we no longer need.
While some have been quick to criticize, mischaracterize, or simply sensationalize Benedict’s decision, such conclusions are likely the result of a society that rarely sees humility in such prominent places. And unfortunately, such skepticism is indicative of a society in need of healing and a return to true humility.
I want to share the following prayer recently introduced to me entitled “Litany of Humility,” written by Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930), that can help us examine and redirect the work of humility in our own lives:
O Jesus! Meek and humble of heart, hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, deliver me, O Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
While society suggests such humility is a thing of the past, Benedict’s witness continues to shepherd us, to redirect our own hearts, and show us that it is not. It is fitting that those of us in his flock spend time this Lenten season and beyond seeking to follow his lead.
Copyright © 2013, Krissie Allen
Krissie Allen
Krissie Kubiszyn Allen is an attorney, teacher, and Catholic mother of four living in Birmingham, Alabama, where she enjoys writing poetry, short stories and essays. Visit her also at her website, Choosing God.
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