4 Practical Ways to Live Out the Virtue of Humility
At Pinecrest Academy, we often speak of developing the mind, body, spirit, and heart of our students. And as part of our Virtue Program, humility is one of the virtues we work to instill in our students. As we strive to form Christian leaders who will transform society, understanding and practicing humility is paramount.
Understanding True Humility
Before we delve into practical applications, let's define humility. The Catholic Encyclopedia offers this insight:
"Humility signifies lowliness or submissiveness and it is derived from the Latin humilitas or, as St. Thomas [Aquinas] says, from humus, i.e. the earth which is beneath us. As applied to persons and things it means that which is abject, ignoble, or of poor condition...Humility in a higher and ethical sense is that by which a man has a modest estimate of his own worth and submits himself to others."
Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less. It's about recognizing our place in God's grand design and submitting ourselves to His will.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church further illuminates the connection between humility and our spiritual life:
"Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God." But when we pray, do we speak from the height of our pride and will, or "out of the depths" of a humble and contrite heart? He who humbles himself will be exalted; humility is the foundation of prayer. Only when we humbly acknowledge that "we do not know how to pray as we ought," are we ready to receive freely the gift of prayer. "Man is a beggar before God." (CCC 2559)
With this understanding of what humility means, here are four ways we can practice this virtue in our daily lives.
1. Pray for the Virtue of Humility
As with all virtues, humility begins with prayer. Jesus tells us, "Ask and you will receive" (Matthew 7:7). It sounds incredibly simple because it really is that simple. However, simple doesn't always mean easy. Praying for humility requires daily consistency and an openness to God's will.
Remember, God gives us opportunities to grow in holiness (and humility). And He is a God of Surprises. Be careful what you pray for – He will deliver, though often not in our timing or in ways we might initially expect.
Practical Tip: Start each day with a simple prayer: "Lord, grant me the grace of humility today. Help me to see myself as you see me, no more and no less."
2. Accept Humiliations with Grace
Life offers us many opportunities to practice humility, often in the form of mistakes or embarrassing moments. Instead of trying to cover up these moments or lashing out in frustration, we can use them as chances to grow in humility.
Remember, Jesus Himself fell three times on the way to Calvary. He heard jeering and was ridiculed for obeying God's will. Did He lash out at those taunting Him or try to embarrass them? No, He humbly accepted the humiliations.
Practical Tip: The next time you face embarrassment, whether publicly or in front of friends or family, pause and think about how Jesus would react. Offer up your humiliation to God, saying, "Lord, I offer this moment to you. Help me to grow in humility through this experience."
3. Think Highly of Others and Assume Their Best Intentions
Pride, the opposite of humility, can lead us to believe that others are motivated by bad intent or are out to get us. The humble person, however, harbors a belief that others (even our perceived enemies) have good intentions.
St. Teresa of Avila wisely counseled, "Be gentle to all, and stern with yourself." This simple yet profound advice can guide us in our interactions with others, helping us to approach every situation with humility and charity.
Practical Tip: When someone frustrates or angers you, pause before reacting. Take a deep breath and silently say, "Lord, help me to see this person as You see them. Give me the grace to respond with gentleness and understanding."
4. Wisdom from the Saints
The saints, in their pursuit of holiness, have left us a treasury of wisdom on humility. Reflecting on their words can inspire us to greater heights of virtue. As Pinecrest’s school motto "Semper Altius" (Always Higher) reminds us, we should continually strive for excellence in all areas, including our spiritual life.
Here are a few powerful quotes to meditate on:
- "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." - James 4:10
- "The result of humility and fear of the LORD is riches, honor and life." - Proverbs 22:4
- "It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels." - St. Augustine of Hippo
- "The gate of heaven is very low; only the humble can enter it." - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
The Challenge
Remember that leadership begins with humility. By practically living out this virtue – through prayer, graceful acceptance of humiliations, charitable thoughts towards others, and reflection on saintly wisdom – we prepare ourselves and our children to transform society with the love of Christ.
Let us embrace the challenge of humility, knowing that as we lower ourselves, we make room for God to lift us up. In doing so, we not only grow in personal holiness but also inspire those around us to do the same.
Matthew Chicoine is a left-handed cradle Catholic who enjoys reading everything Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Chesterton and is also an avid comic book fan. He is married to his wife Jennifer and has four children. Matthew’s favorite saints include Athanasius, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, Philip Neri and John of the Cross. Discover more of his Catholic content by visiting: thesimplecatholic.blog
