Humility is an Amazing Thing

by David Lins  |  09/19/2021  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

Humility is an amazing thing.

It’s great for humor. (For example: I like exclaiming, “I’m the most humble man on the planet!” See what I did there?)

It can elicit fear. (It is commonly known that you should only pray for humility if you REALLY mean it. ESPECIALLY if you are a public speaker!)

And it is the medicine for those who are convinced they have no need of it.

In this weekend’s Gospel (Mark 9:30-37), the disciples were “discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.””

The disciples began seeing what God was doing through them... and that success began to transform into confidence. The problem is that the confidence can easily morph into something sinful. It can slowly slide into pride. “Look at what I can do!” “Look what I can do!” turns into “I hope people notice what I do.” That turns into “Why aren’t more people noticing what I do?”

Do you see where this is going?

On the other hand, if the confidence that grows is confidence in the Lord and what He is doing in and through you, that is HOLY. And that is a confidence that is well- founded and will only grow over time as the Lord shows himself to be trustworthy.

According to the Lord, the path to be first is to be the servant of all. And isn’t there some undeniable truth? We all know the most inspirational military leaders in history lead the charge. The most-respected relative at a family reunion is the one who cooks the food and cleans up after everyone. The most powerful voice is often the ones who speak the most rarely.

In the end, humility means you recognize you are nothing without the Lord—and the future is limitless with Him. And it is pretty amazing to witness what God is able to accomplish through our brokenness.

Questions? Comments? Reach David at dlins@oloj.org