Humility
In the Judeo-Christian tradition this is the time of Advent. A space of quiet listening, waiting, and reflection. For what are we waiting? The birth of a baby, the incarnation of God who arrives in circumstances of poverty in a period of societal shifts, political rifts, and turmoil. Each year we step into this period with hope anticipating change. And I suppose as we draw nearer Christmas Day there might appear to be a shift in humanity toward more neighborliness, giving, kindness and yet, the darkness persists with ever more pervasive ugliness—shootings, injustice, and untruths.
The quality of humility signals a change and requires a different way of being, a demeanor often described by what it is not. Humble people are not arrogant, greedy, conceited, or proud. On the other hand the image of a demure and meek individual sitting quietly in a corner might be a first impression that is just as unattractive as narcissism. Images of mystics and saints like Francis and Clare of Assisi, Teresa of Avila, Hildegard of Bingen and others like them make humility seem remote and far beyond the reach of most human beings. But in reality, we have 20th century examples: Mother Teresa, Howard Thurman, and Gandhi are just a few. In spite of their apparent otherworldliness, they were powerful human beings in their time and still are which to me makes humility a characteristic that is not only worth developing, but a daily practice that changes lives, ours and others.
Observing leaders in all aspects of society, it seems humility is out dated and unattainable. Although in a brief moment of quiet we can recall those people who have impacted our lives and serve as models of this virtue.
What I recognize in humble people is their sheer ability to consistently practice resilience. No matter the circumstances a humble person is someone who just keeps going no matter what happens. They are people fully engaged in each moment of their lives and their attraction is the vitality that flows from them and makes their work seem effortless, whether fighting on behalf of the poor, against oppression, or for freedom. Resistance is never more important than persistence. The necessary ingredient is a certain level of sustainability with a clear vision regardless of external events. This is what makes these folks seem larger than life and serve as magnificent role models for times of transformation.
In Franciscan spirituality humility is part of a trilogy that includes joy and love. In bonding all three of these virtues together, we develop our inner resilience to endure and carry on. This is not a passive or submissive attitude that turns the practitioner into fodder for the uninformed or the tormentor, but instead cultivates a fine-tuned spirit that “admits the fact of our insufficiency and our dependence upon God.”
The waiting and hoping is not in vain, humility is an efficacious tool that reminds us we have more than we need for active work in the universe. Our humility is the mettle that holds the universe together and we are not working alone. There are others like us endeavoring to bring transformation about. We don’t need to know them, we just need to be active participants in the waiting.