Humble and Contrite Hearts

*For Alexa and Dominic ;)*

I have been thinking a lot lately about humility and how it is a lost virtue. Thomas Merton has several great reflections on humility and one in particular states, "The reason why we do things so badly is that we are not content to do what we can." That reflection is so powerful. Humility has many dimensions. We can think of humility as cultivating our own talent and offering it to God, as opposed to being jealous of the talents of others or trying to cultivate a talent we do not possess.

Humility is also knowing that we can learn from others. One huge lesson I have learned this year is the value of talking less and listening more. We often think we have the best to offer and contribute to a conversation, yet we learn more from others when we listen to them attentively.

Humility is knowing creation is only good because we share in the supreme goodness of our Creator. If we are tempted to think we are good in and of ourselves, we miss a valuable opportunity to glorify God. God revealed to St. Catherine of Sienna,"You are she who is not, and I am the One who Is. Let your soul be penetrated with this truth and the Enemy can never lead you astray." Humility enables us to recognize God's graces and how much God moves in our lives.

And of course C.S. Lewis has great reflections on humility. "Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less." I am often surprised and disheartened about how much I think about myself in the course of a day. Especially in prayer, I find myself distracted by reflecting on myself and not on God. And as I think about it, it is really quite absurd. Our God is full of power and might and mercy and grace and beauty, how could I possibly be distracted by my own self? What is most disconcerting is that we miss out on knowledge of God when we are distracted by ourselves.

Humility also enables us to GROW enormously, because the more aware we are of God's power and might and the more conscience we are of our shortcomings, the more ready we are to ask for assistance in overcoming those shortcomings. Not only do all signs point to God's generosity, but it's exciting how all signs also point to God's deep desire to make us like Him. Amen! St. Catherine of Sienna, pray for us!