Being humble is cute
Today, as I was celebrating the Eucharist at Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre at 6.30 am, I felt my heart being touched by what John the Baptist said of Jesus: He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30).
The Greek verb for δεῖ (dei) (in English must ) is so powerful. It means it is necessary, inevitable; it is a duty, what is proper. Hence, the Evangelist John is simply saying that it is necessary, inevitable, it is a duty and proper that Jesus increases and John decreases. The reason for this is found in the prologue of John’s gospel. About Jesus we find: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:1-4). Jesus is God himself.
Concerning John we find: There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light (John 1:6-8). Hence, John is the witness to Jesus, who is the Life and the Light.
How great is the virtue of humility. I never forget that famous teaching which the Virgin Mary taught St Faustina as well as to you and me concerning humility. Mary told her: I desire, My dearly beloved daughter, that you practice the three virtues that are dearest to Me-and most pleasing to God. The first is humility, humility, and once again humility (Diary, 1415). God loves humility a lot! Let us not forget that being humble means I am in God’s will at every moment in life. When I am in humility I have a great blessing on me.
The Bible teaches us a lot on this huge blessing when I am humble. For instance: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:3). For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory (Ps 149:4). The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life (Prov 22:4). For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 14:11). Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you (1 Pet 5:6). The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall exult in the Holy One of Israel (Isa 29:19). Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matt 18:4).
You know what I am realizing? If by being humble I inherit the kingdom of heaven, the Lord takes pleasure in me and adorns me with victory, I am brought riches and honor and life, I shall be exalted, shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord and become the greatest in the kingdom of heaven then being humble must be really cute! Thus, let us make our own that famous prayer-litany of humility written by Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val y Zulueta (10 October 1865 ― 26 February 1930), who was the Secretary of State to Pope St Pius X (1903-1914).
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved…
From the desire of being extolled …
From the desire of being honored …
From the desire of being praised …
From the desire of being preferred to others…
From the desire of being consulted …
From the desire of being approved …
From the fear of being humiliated …
From the fear of being despised…
From the fear of suffering rebukes …
From the fear of being calumniated …
From the fear of being forgotten …
From the fear of being ridiculed …
From the fear of being wronged …
From the fear of being suspected …
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I …
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease …
That others may be chosen and I set aside …
That others may be praised and I unnoticed …
That others may be preferred to me in everything…
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap
