Humility: Greatness That Lasts

Humility is a powerful virtue that is often misunderstood in today's culture. Let's explore what it means to be humble and how it can bring greatness that lasts.

Humility is about strength under control, a concept related to meekness, which comes from the Greek word "Praus." It's about mastering ourselves and submitting to God. Humility is not about being weak or timid, but about exercising strength with grace and calmness. The word humility comes from the Latin word "Humus," meaning fertile soil. To be humble is to be ready to accept who we are, with our strengths and weaknesses.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). This means that those who trust in God's sovereignty and rely on His strength will radiate calm confidence and peace. C.S. Lewis said, "Humility does not mean thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less." It's about living for others, not just ourselves.

St. John Chrysostom said, "Humility is the root, mother, nurse, foundation, and bond of all virtue." St. Augustine said, "Humility is so necessary for Christian perfection that among all the ways to reach perfection, humility is first, humility is second, and humility is third." Thomas Merton said, "Pride makes us artificial, and humility makes us real." St. Bernard declared, "Pride sends man from the highest elevation to the lowest abyss, but humility raises him from the lowest abyss to the highest elevation."

Mother Teresa's life is a powerful example of humility. She accepted others as God's children and offered them loving service. Her humility allowed her to see the poor and needy as opportunities to serve Christ. She never took pride in her achievements, but instead saw herself as a tool being used to help others.

One remarkable story that showcases Mother Teresa's humility and kindness is her encounter with a rich man who hated her and her work. Despite his initial anger, Mother Teresa politely asked him for assistance, at the peak of anger, the rich man spit on Mother Theresa’s face and started scolding her. The divine Mother patiently cleared it and with unimaginable patience asked him, “Thanks for what you gave me, but what will you give to help my poor people”. The rich man got stunned by her response and he eventually began to support her work regularly.

The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself. This powerful statement challenges our natural inclinations toward pride and ambition. When we approach life with a humble heart, we invite grace into our lives and create a space for God to work through us. Let's strive to cultivate humility in our lives, just like Mother Teresa and the saints. May we radiate calm confidence and peace, and live for others, not just ourselves.