Apologies for having fallen behind with our Lenten blog posts: travelling to India and a busy schedule so far have meant computer access is limited. Here are our last thoughts…
Weeds grow more quickly and easily than flowers and plants, it seems, and in the same way, pride, arrogance and grumbling can flourish more quickly in our hearts than humility. Humility is not something which is valued in our society. Being modest is inconspicuous, and we seem to value the brash and boastful more than the quiet and meek. We often feel that being humble is beneath us; we fear being trodden on by others and see life as a perpetual struggle to make ourselves top dog.
Jesus described himself as ‘gentle and humble in heart’ (Matt 11:29) and reminded us that His is a topsy-turvy kingdom where ‘those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ (Matt 23:12) Ultimately, as C. S. Lewis said, ‘True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.’ (‘Mere Christianity’) We can be secure in our identity as children of God and allow humility to grow in our hearts by choosing to think of others first and to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. When we do this, we let go of our obsession with ourselves and understand that comparisons with others are futile.
Mother Teresa gave practical guidelines about what cultivating humility looks like in practice:
- To speak as little as possible of one’s self.
- To mind one’s own business.
- Not to want to manage other people’s affairs.
- To accept contradictions and correction cheerfully.
- To pass over the mistakes of others.
- To accept insults and injuries.
- To accept being slighted, forgotten and disliked.
- To be kind and gentle even under provocation.
- Never to stand on one’s dignity.