Humility

James 4 : 1- 10

....God gives grace to the humble....

Humility is a virtue that we can never assess on our own. The moment we think we are making some headway, that's when pride sneaks in and spoils everything! I guess we can only and always be 'on the way', and humility is one of the virtues that is better observed by others than brought to attention by ourselves. Of course, we should ask God for light so that whenever we fall, we readily take an honest look at ourselves.

Actually, sometimes, the many ways our self-importance comes out can be quite amusing. I have a friend who says that whenever that happens for her.....the Lord brings up a mirror and she sees her own reflection in it.

One face of humility is reflected in people who do what they do, however menial or routine, with great joy and enthusiasm. I met a 'cook' when I was staying at a retreat house in Canada some years ago. He explained that after retirement from truck driving, he decided to become a cook......and he derived much joy in this - in preparing recipes of simple yet nourishing meals for guests. His work kept him largely the kitchen, while the more visible work belonged to those organizing retreats. But his joy was infectious...he was glad to serve in the way that he had been called. One way that humility plays out in ordinary life. This reminds us of Brother Lawrence, the well known spiritual writer of "The practice of the presence of God" who gladly accepted his work in the kitchen and found meaning and purpose in it.

It helps me to think of people who reflect the simple beauty of this virtue. There is no better way to learn about humility than to look around at lives that are graced by God, however unimportant they may seem in the eyes of the world.