Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory;
rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,
each looking out not for his own interests,
but also for those of others.
Humility is probably one of the most underrated and underappreciated of all the virtues. Especially in a country that prizes the rugged individualist whose value is often gauged by his or her ability to ‘grab all the gusto there is’ or who considers that winners are the ones who ‘end up with all the toys in life,’ humility is often relegated to wimps and losers.
How far from the Gospel values such attitudes are. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians today, we hear the great apostle to the gentiles sing rhapsodically about the virtue of humility which always seeks the good of others. Within this letter we find an ancient hymn that extols the greatness of Jesus because he ‘poured out himself’ as he refused to cling to his divine nature and embraced in utter humility our humanity.
During this pandemic, I think of the selfless healthcare workers who day in and day out are there providing healing and comfort to the many who have contracted Covid-19. Often, these caregivers are the last ones the dying see in isolation as they remain at their bedsides in these sad moments of leave-taking.
The word humility has its root in the Latin word, ‘humus’ or ‘earth/soil.’ People who are humble possess a radical honesty about themselves and others. They realize that all that they are and all that they have come by way of gift from the one who is the giver of all good gifts. Humble people reverence the giftedness of creation, the unsolicited beauty of Mother earth and the exquisite beauty of friendship and love.
Ultimately, my friends, it is humility that is at the heart of human greatness, character and integrity.