“Humility, a little virtue, because it loves the shade and annihilation, blossoms only in great souls.” (Mgr. L. Giraud) I was given this quote thirty-five years ago by my novice director and wondered what on Earth she was thinking!
I’ve been reading the Rule of Benedict and the other day came to his rather lengthy chapter on, you guessed it, HUMILITY! Benedict says: “We descend by exaltation and we ascend by humility.” Up is down and down is up! In her commentary, Joan Chittister, OSB says: “Humility … is the basis for right relationships in life.” My meditation led me to see that humility has to do with knowing our place within the universe. It has to do with realizing we are not God. It has to do with respecting the other. It has to do with claiming and using our own gifts, without pretense, and without pride. It has to do with justice, with truth, and with integrity.
Hmmmm …. Thirty-five years later I’m beginning to wonder if this is such a “little virtue” after all! Be on the lookout for where humility could blossom today. Notice it in your own life. Cultivate it. Sow its seeds in your home and workplace. Nurture right relationships with God, with your neighbor, and with all of creation!
One Response
What a wonderful reflection on the feast Of St. Vincent de Paul.In the midst of the most distracting occupations his soul was always intimately united with God. Though honored by the great ones of the world, he remained deeply rooted in humility. Known for his charity, humility was his greatest assset.