Advent is a time to reflect on Jesus’ humble birth as one of us. St. Francis was all about becoming another Christ. .As we prepare for the dawning of another Advent in our lives, Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Concepcion Medina offers a Scriptural reflection on the virtue of humility. Her illustrations also share her prayer.
For me humility was always something that I thought we should all strive to be, but what does that mean? What does humility look like? What does it mean to be humble? It is easy to get swept up in the hallmarks of false humility that don’t quite reach the depths of our inner most being but true humility is much deeper than the façade of denying your gifts and talents.
In truth, humility is much more about God’s will than our own. It is in fact a virtue in which we can grow in. Humility is not a task that you accomplish once and are done with it, rather it is habit to incorporate into our everyday being. True humility is recognizing and living who we are and what we are in relation to God. Humility recognizes that we are creature and not creator. In this light, we joyfully accept God’s will and plan for our lives. Humility opens our hearts up to our own failings, allows us to learn from others, and allows us to forgive ourselves and others. Most importantly, humility grants us the grace to invite God into our lives to strengthen and refine the areas in which we fall short. More and more we begin to ask for the grace to see clearly, act justly, and love tenderly. Humility appreciates the fragility of the human condition.
Some of the greatest examples of humility to me are from the bible. I painted two images that remind me of humility. The first is of the woman who is nameless and washes Jesus’ feet in Luke 7:37-39
“A sinful woman in the town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house. So she brought an alabaster jar of perfume and stood behind Jesus at his feet, crying. She began to wash his feet with her tears, and she dried them with her hair, kissing them many times and rubbing them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who asked Jesus to come to his house saw this, he thought to himself, “If Jesus were a prophet, he would know that the woman touching him is a sinner!”
I find it incredible that the woman remains nameless but her deeds are remembered. Also, she recognizes her own sinfulness and who she is as creature, lowering herself to clean and kiss the feet of Jesus. How many of us would honestly clean, kiss, and anoint the feet of a stranger? When you think about it, the reality of this act is inspiring. Also of note even after the Pharisee points out the woman’s sinfulness she does not turn around and point out his sinfulness. Particularly is sharing how the Pharisee knew her, her sins, and how she knew her way around his house. There is a lot more to this woman, her actions, and the following parable than meets the eye. As with true humility, so much of the deeper conversions of humility the world will never know of. It is simply between ourselves and God.
The second image I painted is of a donkey. I chose this for two reasons, the first is that Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a colt. A king or anyone of note would not ride into town on a donkey much less a colt that had never been ridden before. As well Mary the mother of Jesus rides upon a donkey. It is not a glorious animal nor one for the rich and influential. The other reason was in honor of the owner of the colt that Jesus road in on. Luke 19: 33-35
“As they were untying it, its owners came out and asked the followers, “Why are you untying our colt?” The followers answered, “The Master needs it.” So they brought it to Jesus, threw their coats on the colt’s back, and put Jesus on it.”
I find to be the owners of the colt notable because, one they are not named but also, to me they accept who they are in regard to the Master. Though donkeys were not luxurious animals, not everyone was lucky enough to have one so to let a stranger take their colt shows their faith. The owners accept God’s will and plan for their lives and the role they are to play in the life of Jesus. At its core I think that is what humility is.
