Michael Brooks
Humility is a virtue that is highly regarded in the Catholic faith. It is considered the foundation of all virtue and the first step towards holiness. St. Augustine emphasised the importance of humility, saying, It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels. For Catholics, humility is a way to connect with God and follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who was described as meek and humble of heart in the Bible.
To become more humble, Catholics can look to figures like Mother Teresa, who exemplified humility by daring to speak truth to power and prioritising service to others. They can also turn to prayers like The Litany of Humility and reflect on their own lives, recognising the role of others and God in their successes.
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What You'll Learn
Recognise that your achievements are the result of your life experiences, not inherent qualities
Humility is a virtue that is necessary for salvation. It is the foundation of all virtue, as St. Augustine said, "The way to Christ is first through humility, second through humility, third through humility".
Recognising that your achievements are the result of your life experiences, not inherent qualities, is a crucial aspect of humility. This means understanding that your successes are not solely due to your innate abilities or traits but are influenced by a variety of external factors and opportunities that may not be available to others. For example, if you are intelligent, acknowledge that someone invested time in teaching you, which may not have been the case for others. If you are strong or tall, recognise that access to nutritious food or workout facilities contributed to your physical development, which others may lack.
By reflecting on the role of life experiences in shaping your achievements, you can cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and humility. This perspective helps you realise that your accomplishments are not solely due to your inherent qualities but are also influenced by factors beyond your control. It fosters a mindset that values the contributions and experiences of others, recognising that their lives and struggles are just as meaningful and impactful as your own.
In the words of CS Lewis, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less". This quote highlights that humility is not about demeaning yourself or diminishing your worth; instead, it's about shifting the focus away from yourself and towards others. It's about recognising that your achievements are not solely the result of your inherent qualities but also the product of life experiences and opportunities that others may not have had.
Mother Teresa, a renowned figure known for her humility, exemplified this understanding. She emphasised that humility is the mother of all virtues. She dared to speak against abortion at the National Prayer Breakfast in 1993, displaying self-confidence and humility simultaneously. Mother Teresa understood that humility is about depending on God rather than oneself, acknowledging that everything comes from God.
In conclusion, recognising that your achievements are the result of life experiences and opportunities, rather than inherent qualities, is a vital aspect of humility. It fosters gratitude, shifts the focus away from oneself, and helps us recognise the value and struggles of others. By embracing this perspective, we can cultivate a more humble and compassionate outlook, drawing closer to God and emulating the humility exemplified by Jesus Christ.
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Do not seek praise or recognition
Humility is a virtue that is highly regarded in the Catholic faith, and it is considered to be the foundation of all virtue. Seeking praise or recognition is considered a selfish desire that can lead to anxiety, fear, anger, and a superficial life. Therefore, it is important for Catholics to cultivate humility and avoid seeking praise or recognition.
The Litany of Humility, a powerful prayer attributed to Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val, includes the lines: "From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus. From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus. From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus." This prayer reflects the Catholic belief that seeking praise or recognition can be a hindrance to spiritual growth and a distraction from focusing on God.
St. Augustine said, "It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels." This quote highlights the importance of humility in the Catholic faith and the belief that pride and the desire for recognition can lead to a fall from grace.
To avoid seeking praise or recognition, Catholics can follow the example of Mother Teresa, who is often held up as an example of humility. She is believed to have said, "If you are humble, nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are. If you are blamed, you will not be discouraged. If they call you a saint, you will not put yourself on a pedestal." Following her example, Catholics can strive to be confident in their self-worth without relying on the praise or recognition of others.
Additionally, Catholics can practice humility by volunteering with those they find difficult to love and seeing Christ in them. They can also reflect on their blessings and recognize that their talents and successes are not solely their own doing but are also due to the opportunities and privileges they have been given. By shifting the focus from themselves to God and others, Catholics can cultivate humility and avoid the temptation to seek praise or recognition.
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Do not be dependent on the opinions of others
Humility is a virtue that is highly valued in the Catholic faith, and it is considered to be the foundation of all virtue. St Augustine said, "It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels".
Humility is the opposite of pride, and it is important for Catholics to be humble because it brings them closer to God. As Father Johnson said, "Our greatest block to growing closer to God is when we rely more on us than on him". By being humble, we can grow in confidence and deepen our relationship with God.
However, it is important to note that humility is not about thinking less of yourself or putting yourself down. Instead, it is about recognising that your strengths and talents are gifts from God and that you are dependent on Him. As St. Thomas Aquinas defines it, "Humility means seeing ourselves as God sees us: knowing every good we have comes from Him as a pure gift".
When we become dependent on the opinions of others, we make ourselves vulnerable to anxiety, fear, worry, and anger. We also risk living a superficial life, where we are constantly seeking the approval of others. True happiness and contentment come from within, and from knowing that we are loved and valued by God.
To be less dependent on the opinions of others, it is helpful to reflect on the following:
- Recognise that your worth and value come from God alone. Spend time in prayer and meditation, abiding in God's word, and allowing Him to renew your mind.
- Remember that any talents or strengths you have are gifts from God. For example, if you are intelligent, acknowledge that someone took the time to teach you, and that others may not have had the same opportunities.
- Volunteer with those who may be different from you or who you may struggle to love. By serving others and seeing them as image-bearers of Christ, you can cultivate a heart of humility.
- Practice giving way in discussions, even when you know you are right. Choose the more difficult path whenever possible.
- Do not seek praise or recognition for your good deeds. Mother Teresa, who is known for her humility, said, "If you are humble, nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are".
- Reflect on the life and teachings of Jesus, who "emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:7). He came "not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).
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Do not be judgemental or prideful
Humility is a virtue that is highly valued in Catholic teachings. It is considered the foundation of all virtue and the first step towards a life of holiness.
Pride is often seen as the opposite of humility, and it is important in Catholicism to avoid being judgemental or prideful. This can be achieved by recognising that one's talents and achievements are not solely one's own doing, but are also the result of opportunities and privileges that others may not have had. For example, if one is intelligent, it is important to acknowledge that this is due in part to having had access to education and teachers, which are not available to everyone.
Another way to avoid being judgemental is to recognise the inherent worth and dignity of all people as image-bearers of Christ. This can be practised by volunteering with those one finds difficult to love, and by seeking to understand others' life experiences and the discrimination they may face due to one's own prejudices. By doing so, one can learn to see Christ in others and treat them with humility and respect, rather than judgement and pride.
Additionally, it is important to be content with what one has and not covet what others have or desire what one does not. This can help to cultivate gratitude and humility, and reduce feelings of superiority or entitlement.
Finally, humility can be practised by giving in during discussions, even when one is right, and by choosing the more difficult path. This can be a challenge to one's ego and sense of superiority, but it is an important way to emulate Christ's humility and selflessness.
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Understand that humility is the foundation of all virtue
Humility is the cornerstone of all virtue in the Catholic faith. This means that it is the first step towards a life of holiness. In his letters, St. Augustine emphasised the importance of humility, stating, "The way to Christ is first through humility, second through humility, third through humility".
The virtue of humility is a powerful tool that can bring us closer to God. By embracing humility, we can see ourselves as God sees us and recognise that all our gifts and talents come from Him. St. Thomas Aquinas defines humility as "seeing ourselves as God sees us: knowing every good we have comes from Him as a pure gift". This understanding helps us resist the temptation to view ourselves through the lens of worldly values and the opinions of others. Instead, we can seek to see ourselves through God's eyes and find our worth in Him.
The Litany of Humility, a prayer attributed to Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val, is a practical guide to help Catholics understand and embrace humility. By reflecting on each line of this prayer, we can learn to reject the desire for esteem, love, and extolment from others. Instead, we can find joy in the truth and authenticity of God's love.
Mother Teresa, a shining example of humility, understood that true self-esteem comes from depending on God rather than oneself. She recognised that humility is the mother of all virtues, protecting us from the highs and lows of praise and disgrace. Through humility, we can find confidence and a deeper connection with God, allowing us to experience His fullness.
By embracing humility, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who "emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:7). Jesus came not to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:28), and through His humility, He saved us. By imitating His humility, we can defeat the devil, who was unable to imitate humans in this virtue, as St. John Vianney noted.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some practices to be more humble:
- Do not protect yourself behind your own dignity. Give in, in discussions, even when you are right.
- Do not covet or want what others have. Do not be jealous of other people's lives.
- Spend time thinking about what led you to be great. Recognize that your strengths may be due to life experiences rather than any inherent quality.
- Volunteer with the people you have the hardest time loving.
- Practice giving others the benefit of the doubt and putting them first.
According to St. Augustine, "The way to Christ is first through humility, second through humility, third through humility". St. Thomas Aquinas defines humility as "seeing ourselves as God sees us: knowing every good we have comes from Him as a pure gift". Humility is considered the foundation of all virtue and is necessary for salvation.
A common misconception about humility is that humble people want to be recognized as humble. In reality, they simply want to do what is right and are not seeking praise. Another misconception is that humility means thinking less of yourself. However, as C.S. Lewis writes in his book Mere Christianity, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less".
