Humility. What does it really mean? Merriam-Webster dictionary says the definition of humble is not proud or haughty; not arrogant or assertive; reflecting, expressing or offered in a spirit of deference or submission. This is a hard one for me. It's the submission part I struggle with . . . keeping my mouth shut and not reacting to difficult situations or people. In Volume Seven, St. Gertrude gives us this advice about humility:
"If you spend time with Christ each day you will remain humble. Many convert to Christ and then feel they are above all of mankind. They think they have reached sainthood merely by their altered path. I assure you, little servants, it is through the ascent that you achieve sainthood. The higher you climb, the more humble you will become. Do not hold yourself above anyone, ever. You will not make friends for Christ this way. You will confirm the enemy’s propaganda that Christians hold themselves above others. True Christians, of course, do not. You will know these things by your Spirit, but I, Gertrude, am giving you advance warning of a snare that could trip you up. Practice humility. The battle is won in the silence of your soul, my dearest friend."
The Litany of Humility is a prayer I pray every morning. The first time you read this you may think, "why would I pray this?" I promise, the more you read it, the more sense it makes and the easier difficulties and disappointment are.
Litany of Humility
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…
Thank you, Lord, for showing me what true humility looks like. As prayed in the Litany of Humility, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
God bless,
Bonnie
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