Are you Humble?

This topic is close to my heart. I used to be really confused about what it means to be humble. Until one day God enlightened me through the wise words of my godmother, Sr. Rafaelie.  She said, “True humility is walking in the truth.”

Simply put, it’s being who you really are.

Recently, I was reminded of this again when I read Fr. Rudy Horst’s reflection on a Gospel reading. He also said that, “Humility rests on truth.”

“When Jesus teaches that ‘the one who humbles himself will be exalted,’ He does not say that the ones who shall be exalted are the ones who say they are ugly, not intelligent or uneducated when that is not the case.”

“People who deny their qualities are making God a liar because He gave them those qualities and they say they do not have them.”

I could not help but agree with Fr. Rudy. I realized that humility is not humiliation. Being humble is not about putting yourself down and thinking worse things about your self. It’s not about debasing yourself and ignoring your gifts. Rather, it is being true to them.

False humility is saying you are not talented, intelligent, or amazing, when the truth is you are. It is good to be reminded that to be truly humble is to be true to who you are.

But it does not end there. That’s just one part of the equation.

The crucial part of humility is acknowledging that the goodness, gifts and talents that you have actually comes from a Source. True humility is acknowledging the Source of the good that is in you.

What is the attitude then of a truly humble person?

Fr. Rudy continues, “The humble person will say or think: I am good-looking, thanks be to God who gave me my looks. I am bright, thanks be to God who gave me my intelligence. Humble people rejoice in their gifts because they see themselves truthfully as they are. They are great in the eyes of God.”

For me, the true model of humility is Mama Mary. When she learned that she was chosen from among all women in the world to be the mother of Jesus, she humbly accepted her precious role and she rejoiced in her Maker! Consider her Magnificat:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness. Behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name” (Luke 1:47-49).

True humility is rejoicing in the God who made you so wonderfully. Acknowledging the Source of the goodness that you possess is the mark of a truly humble person.

Here are things we can reflect on today:

Are you truly humble? Are you standing on the truth about yourself? Do you praise the One who gave you all the good that you have  – your gifts, roles, possessions, mission/purpose? Do you give credit where credit is due?

Pearl of Truth:

Realizing the good that we have been given, let us rejoice with humble hearts like Mama Mary did, “The Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is his Name!”

Our Prayer:

Dear God, help us to see ourselves the way you see us. May the good we find in ourselves turn to praise for You. Glory to You now and forever! Amen.