Scripture Reflection, September 2: Humility Does Matter

Scripture Readings:
Sirach 3: 17-18, 20, 28-29
Psalm 68
Hebrews 12: 18-19, 22-24a
Luke 14: 1, 7-14

I like good advertising, and I have become quite a connoisseur of ads found on the sides of buses and the tops of taxis. My sometimes-long commute to and from work provides the perfect opportunity to stay abreast of the latest and best ads. I love the Snickers candy bar ad that reads “Hungerectomy,” and is designed like the wrapper. I always noticed it on the way home from work when it was dinnertime. But the ad that caught my attention and still keeps me thinking is the one from Loyola University: “More We, Less Me.”

This Sunday’s scriptures remind me of this ad. We as a society are obsessed with our own success, and this ad challenges us, especially the younger generations, to recognize that there is more to life than being number one and accumulating the trappings of wealth. Many of us Gen Xers and Millenials have been blessed with so much, and we are not regularly challenged that we should cherish our blessings. In fact, many of us fall into the entitlement trap, believing that we deserve the best of everything, always. The readings are meant to challenge and shake us out of our complacency. In the Gospel, Christ teaches us that we should seat ourselves at a lower place of honor at a banquet, and if we deserve to be at a higher place, then we will be invited. This message is not meant to be a calculating trick to make oneself look good. It is a reminder that there are other people around us who also deserve honor and high praise and humility is a gift worth praising itself. This Gospel passage provides the countercultural punch to the saying, “Look out for number one!”

But this passage prompts an important question needing our attention: what is humility? If we do not clarify the definition, then we risk ignoring the gifts of individuals and preventing God’s work from being fulfilled because people are confusing humility with becoming a doormat. Older generations of Catholics remember a time when being a good Catholic meant fulfilling expectations. Emphasis on individual gifts and desires was frowned upon and regarded as not being humble. The phrase, “Pray, pay and obey” characterizes this time. Much anger, anxiety and resentment still remain, and I think young adults can take a lesson or two from the older generations. (Many of the generational clashes within the Church, I believe, are because we operate from different life experiences. We can certainly learn from one another so we can better balance the “me” and “we” elements in society.) We don’t want to stress self-less acts of service without teaching people how to recognize the difference between healthy and unhealthy giving. Humility does not mean that we should give so much of ourselves that we burn out and that we belittle or cannot recognize our own skills and expertise. Being humble does not mean having poor self-esteem.

I would like to throw out some characteristics of humility and invite you to share others in the discussion forum:

Humility is reflecting on our motivations for our actions and letting go of the outcome. Letting go of the outcome means that we can live into the experience of life, and not be obsessed with expectations others have of us and we have of ourselves.

Humility is trusting the work and timing of the Holy Spirit.

Humility is knowing and being able to articulate our deepest desires for ourselves. When we know what makes us tick, we can find ways for self-expression…and know when to self-regulate our behavior and actions to be more appreciative of our friends and neighbors.

What are some other characteristics?

JoEllen Windau