What Is the Virtue of Humility?
Humility is the virtue that enables us to recognize our true place before God and others. It is not about thinking less of ourselves, but about thinking of ourselves less. Humility is the foundation of all other virtues and is essential for spiritual growth and holiness. It is the virtue that helps us to recognize our dependence on God, our need for His grace, and our equality with all other human beings.
The Catholic Church teaches that humility is one of the most important virtues for the Christian life. It is the virtue that Jesus Himself exemplified throughout His life and ministry, and it is the virtue that He calls all of His followers to cultivate. Humility is not weakness or self-deprecation, but is strength and self-awareness. It enables us to be honest about our strengths and weaknesses, to learn from others, and to serve others with love and generosity.
The Biblical Foundation
The Bible provides a rich foundation for understanding humility. In the Old Testament, we see examples of humility in figures like Moses, who is described as 'very meek, more than all men that were on the face of the earth' (Numbers 12:3), and in the Psalms, which frequently speak of the importance of humility before God. Proverbs 3:34 states, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'
In the New Testament, Jesus makes humility central to His teaching and example. He tells His disciples, 'Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all' (Mark 10:43-44). Jesus Himself demonstrates humility throughout His life, from His birth in a stable to His death on the cross. The Apostle Paul also emphasizes humility, writing, 'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves' (Philippians 2:3).
Humility vs. Pride
Humility is the opposite of pride, which is considered the root of all sin. Pride is the excessive love of self and the desire to be superior to others. It leads to arrogance, selfishness, and a lack of concern for others. Pride can take many forms, including thinking that we are better than others, seeking recognition and praise, and being unwilling to admit our mistakes or weaknesses.
Humility, on the other hand, enables us to recognize our true place before God and others. It helps us to be honest about our strengths and weaknesses, to learn from others, and to serve others with love and generosity. Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves, but about thinking of ourselves less and focusing more on God and others.
Jesus as the Model of Humility
Jesus is the perfect model of humility. Throughout His life and ministry, He demonstrated what true humility looks like. He was born in a stable, lived a simple life, and associated with the poor and marginalized. He washed His disciples' feet, a task that was typically done by servants, and He told them that He came not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45).
Most importantly, Jesus demonstrated humility in His death on the cross. He willingly suffered and died for our sins, even though He was innocent and could have avoided this suffering. His humility was not weakness, but was the greatest strength, as it enabled Him to accomplish our salvation through His love and obedience to the Father.
Humility and Self-Knowledge
Humility begins with self-knowledge, which is the honest recognition of our strengths and weaknesses, our gifts and limitations. Self-knowledge enables us to recognize our dependence on God and our need for His grace. It also helps us to recognize our equality with all other human beings and to treat them with respect and dignity.
Self-knowledge requires honesty and courage. It means being willing to acknowledge our mistakes and weaknesses, to accept criticism and correction, and to learn from our experiences. It also means recognizing our gifts and talents and using them for the glory of God and the good of others, rather than for our own glory.
Humility and Service
Humility is expressed through service to others. When we are humble, we recognize that we are not better than others and that we have a responsibility to serve them with love and generosity. Service is not about seeking recognition or reward, but about following the example of Jesus, who came to serve rather than to be served.
Service can take many forms, from simple acts of kindness to more significant commitments of time and energy. It includes serving our families, our communities, and those in need. Service is not about doing great things, but about doing small things with great love, as St. Therese of Lisieux taught.
Humility and Learning
Humility enables us to be open to learning from others and from our experiences. When we are humble, we recognize that we don't know everything and that others may have wisdom and insights that we can benefit from. We are willing to listen to others, to accept correction and advice, and to learn from our mistakes.
Humility also enables us to be teachable and to grow in wisdom and understanding. It helps us to recognize that we are always learning and growing, and that we can always improve and become better people. This openness to learning is essential for spiritual growth and for living a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Humility and Prayer
Humility is essential for authentic prayer. When we pray with humility, we recognize our dependence on God and our need for His grace and mercy. We approach God not with arrogance or entitlement, but with reverence, gratitude, and trust. Humble prayer acknowledges that we are creatures and that God is our Creator and Father.
Humble prayer also includes acknowledging our sins and weaknesses and asking for God's forgiveness and help. It means recognizing that we cannot save ourselves and that we need God's grace to grow in holiness and virtue. Humble prayer is characterized by gratitude for God's gifts and by trust in His love and providence.
Humility and Relationships
Humility is essential for healthy relationships. When we are humble, we are able to treat others with respect and dignity, regardless of their status or background. We are willing to listen to others, to consider their perspectives, and to work for reconciliation when conflicts arise.
Humility also enables us to admit our mistakes and to ask for forgiveness when we have wronged others. It helps us to be patient and understanding with others' weaknesses and to offer them the same mercy and forgiveness that we hope to receive. Humility is the foundation of love and is essential for building strong, lasting relationships.
Conclusion: Cultivating Humility
Humility is not a virtue that we can develop overnight, but is a lifelong process that requires constant effort, prayer, and the grace of God. It requires us to examine our motives, to be honest about our strengths and weaknesses, and to be willing to learn and grow. It also requires us to serve others with love and generosity and to treat all people with respect and dignity.
The Catholic Church provides many resources and practices to help us cultivate humility, including prayer, the sacraments, spiritual direction, and the example of the saints. By cultivating humility, we can grow in holiness and become more like Christ, who is the perfect model of humility and love.
Humility is not weakness, but is the greatest strength, as it enables us to recognize our true place before God and others, to serve others with love and generosity, and to grow in holiness and virtue. It is the foundation of all other virtues and is essential for living a meaningful and fulfilling Christian life.