PRACTICAL HUMILITY
Humility
as a word is used frequently in our everyday language. We use it in all most
all the activities we carry out in our daily lives. It is derived from the
Latin word “humus” which is translated as “ground” or “soil”; its meaning is
therefore “lowly”. In classical Latin the word is always used in a pejorative
sense; applied to things it means
undistinguished, unimportant, insignificant, in reference to persons it
suggest. Humility being very important is one of the Christian virtues we are
all called to practice. The practice of this virtue is very much required in
our dealings with God and in our relationship with others in the word. This is
because the humility of the Christian discipleship must be expressed not only
towards God but also to sisters and brothers in the Christian community (The
New Dictionary of Catholic spirituality, Michael Downey (ed) Bangalore,
Theological publication in India, 2003, p.517).
Today,
so much is said about humility as people are often advised to be humble. But then very often it is the theoretical
humility that we know very well more than the practical humility. This is
because while we claim to be humble by words of mouth, our actions do not
correspond with what we say as they are different form our words. And so a very
important question here is: how do we live out this virtue? That is, how can we
be able to apply this virtue in our lives?
To proffer an answer to this question is simply to unveil the
constituents of humility or the contents of it. Put differently, there are
certain requirements of humility of which on their own reveal the virtues in
practice.
One of the major
constituent of humility is Obedience.
Obedience means the act of abiding by a stipulation. Put differently, it means
the act of doing what one is required to do. Obedience is a requirement of
humility because it goes a long way to show how one can be able to submit
his/her will to a stipulation. The submission of one’s will to any requirement shows
how humble one is. This is because it means that one considers that demand as
more important than his personal will or demand. A practical example of
humility is the act being committed to responsibilities as expected. He who
obeys the instructions given is humble; for he has brought himself low by
putting his own will aside for the will of the instruction. This implies that
he considers his will unimportant that particular time he should carry out the
will of the instruction. Hence we can say that obedience to elders,
authorities, instructions and regulations at any given space and time is a sign
of humility. Thus, we apply humility in our daily lives as we obey all we are
expected to and as at when expected. In obedience, humility is revealed.
In
connection to the above, the respect
for people especially the elderly
ones is another sign of humility. The treatment given to people whether elders
or younger ones determine how humble one is. To regard the elderly and the younger
ones shows one’s humility. To treat people respectfully is humility. To avoid
insults and assaults as the case may be shows one’s humility. One cannot be
said to be humble when he has not learnt to offer the expected respect and
value to others. This respect boils down to considering people as very
important and at that respect them and everything about them. Whoever that
insults and disrespects people no matter the category cannot be said to be
humble; since it is a sign of humility to respect all.
More
so, humility is shown in the matured use
of God-given talents. The way one
uses the gifts he has received from God ultimately also shows whether he is
humble or not. The use of these gifts for the good of the community is a sign
of humility and vice versa. There are some people so much blessed with the gift
of intelligence/brilliance and they fail to help others with it. This is never
humility but pride. This is because to avoid using such gifts implies
ingratitude to God which is pride. And so to make judicious use of such gifts in
helping others is gratitude to God which shows one’s humility.
Moreover, humility is shown in the consideration of others as better than
oneself. The implication of this is the rejection of self- centeredness. It
allows a person to see the good in oneself and in others as ultimately coming
from God. The act of seeing oneself better than others in such a way that the
other is seen as not relevant and worthy of nothing is a way of considering
oneself as better than others. In our daily lives especially within a group of
people be it the family, organization, institution etc, the way we place
ourselves go a long way to determine our humility. The attitude of suggesting
or wishing that a particular assignment should not have been given to one but
the others is never a sign of humility but the reverse. This is because in this
situation, one now feels higher/better than others. The common response of
people such as “Why must it be me” when assigned a responsibility which most
often is menial in a way is never a sign of humility but pride. This is only
one case. Similarly the attitude of suggesting another for a particular duty
based on expertise is a sign of humility as it means that one is considering
others better than himself. Anything contrary to the two instances is not
humility and can never be. Those who cast judgment about people’s lives fall
under this category. For this was exactly what the Pharisee did when he was
praying alongside the tax collector in the temple.
In
addition to the above, another practical example of humility is the polite manner of correction. The way we
correct offenders shows whether we are humble or not. The impolite way with
which corrections are given sometimes makes the correction become another thing
else. Most often the way at which people correct others seem to be as if they
can never be guilty of such. Hence the words of correction are not only harsh
but also very rude. This is clearly different from addressing serious issues
seriously. What is meant here is that a correction given in a mild tone is better
than the contrary. And in majority of the cases, the correction given in a mild
way is more fruitful than that given with a harsh and rude countenance. And so
the understanding of the weakness and fraility of the other towards giving
corrections in a mild manner is a clear manifestation of humility. The reverse
of this is not humility. To be able to forgive all wrongs is a sign of
humility.
There
are other examples of practical humility, but the above serve only as tips of
what and how humility should be. Humility continues to occupy a central role in
contemporary spirituality. It is seen not as self-depreciation but as
self-honesty. It is a rejection of all self-centeredness. It allows a person to
see the good in oneself and in others as ultimately coming from God. It leaves
no room for jealously or pride but instead calls for thanks and praise to God
who gives all good things.
Humility
recognizes the worth and value of the neighbor and does not demean his/her
accomplishments or virtues. That is why we must consider the other all the time
as better than us.
In
conclusion, failure to be humble through obedience,
respect for people, matured use of
God-given talents, consideration of others as better than oneself, polite
manner of correction and sincere and remorseful acknowledgement of one’s
mistakes, etc. will lead to dishonor in forms of embarrassment, punishment and other
problems. But when they are kept, there will be exaltation in forms of praises,
encouragements, mercy/pardon etc. This was exactly what these saints we
remember this time did while on earth. And the bible summarizes this by saying
that whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself
will be exalted!
Nwanyanwu Chris
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