Humility toward God
Humility is based on truth, and above all on the great truth that the distance between the creature and the Creator is infinite. Thus, humility results in our abandonment to God, putting all our trust in him, not in ourselves. When we try to be humble, God comes and fills us with his strength.
We must rely on God and in the means he uses for our sanctification and training: the sacraments and the Church’s Magisterium. Otherwise, we will be like the false doctors denounced by St Paul who “do not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, heap up to themselves teachers according to their own lusts” (2 Tim 4:3).
PIETY
Humility toward God is manifested first of all by piety and reverence, whereby we honor God as the fullness of perfection. Piety results in acts of adoration, praise, filial fear, and filial love.
Humility Prepares a Soul to Get Closer to God
* Through piety, saints become humble. (St Augustine, On the Sermon of the Mountain, 1, 18)
* Be aware of this: Nothing is more excellent, nothing more amiable than humility. It is the chief preserver of virtues, a sort of guardian of all of them. Being great through the achievements of our life, nothing else makes us more acceptable to men and God than making ourselves little through humility. (St Jerome, Letter 148, 20)
* The glory of man is God. (St Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses, 3, 20)
* Humility prepares a person to achieve, without constraints, spiritual and divine goods. (St Augustine, Tr. on Virginity, 51)
* If at any time you feel uneasy at the thought of our sister death because you see yourself to be such a poor creature, take heart –heaven awaits us. Consider what it will be like when all the infinite beauty, greatness, happiness, and Love of God is poured into the poor clay vessel that the human being is, satisfying it eternally with the freshness of an ever new joy. (J. Escrivá, Furrow, n. 891)
* It’s not lack of humility to be aware of your soul’s progress. That way you can thank God for it.
But don’t forget that you are a beggar, wearing a good suit.... on loan. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 608)
* Make this firm and determined resolution: To recall, when you receive honors and praise, everything that brings you shame and embarrassment.
The shame and embarrassment are yours; the praise and the glory are God’s. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 252)
* Pride is the root of all vices; humility the source of all virtues. Humility is the entrance gate for all the graces God sends us; it seasons our actions, making them valuable and pleasing to God; it makes us –in a figurative sense– masters of God’s heart, for God never resists a humble heart. (St John Vianney, Sermon on Pride)
* “I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and given to a people yielding its fruits” (Mt 21:43). The vineyard was given to somebody else, as it happens with the gift of grace; the proud spurn grace and it is gathered by the humble. (Raban Maurus, Catena Aurea, 3, p. 48)
* The gift of grace, rejected by the proud man, enriches the humble. (St Bede, Catena Aurea, 6, p. 337)
* When our vision is clouded, when our eyes have lost their clarity, we need to go to the light. And Jesus Christ has told us that he is the Light of the world and that he has come to heal the sick.
That is why your weaknesses and your falls –when God allows them– should not separate you from Christ, but rather draw you closer to him. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 158)
* If you have done something wrong, be it big or small, go running back to God.
Savor those words of the psalm, cor contritum et humiliatum, Deus, non despicies –the Lord will never despise or ignore a contrite and humbled heart. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 172)
* In the story of the Tower of Babel, the exclusion of God from human affairs is presented not so much under the aspect of opposition to him as under that of simply leaving him out of account, out of indifference toward him, as if God were of no relevance in the sphere of man’s cooperative undertakings. But in both cases, that of our first parents and that of the constructors of the Tower, the relationship to God is severed with violence.
Why did the ambitious project fail? Why did “the builders build in vain”? They failed because they had set up, as a sign and guarantee of the unity they desired, a work that was to be of their own hands alone, and had forgotten the action of the Lord. (John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation Reconciliatio et Poenitentia, 14 and 13)
* You are like the little pauper who suddenly finds out that he is the son of the King. That is why now the only thing that concerns you on this earth is the glory of your Father God, his glory in everything. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 334)
* We commit sins out of ignorance, weakness, indifference, or hardness of heart.... but I wish that you and I would never be stubborn; that we would not sin against Light. God resists the proud; “even though all vices separate us from God, only pride is directly against him.”#1
Are you shut off from God by your pride?
The impressive mercy of God cannot do anything within you, if you do not open yourself to God:
- Open up to Light;
- Open up to Love;
- Open up to the Almighty Power;
- Open up to Forgiveness;
- Open up to the Savior.
Pride has sealed off your eyes, your ears, the window and gate of your soul. “Even though he can enter, God does not want to break in rudely; he does not want to force anyone against one’s will.”#2
Did you know that God’s love, God’s passion for man’s freedom, went thus far? By closing your windows, you are in darkness within your hell, while the space around you is flooded with light. God gives you his hand; and you –rotten with pride– reject it.
Ask our Lady –this is a friend’s advice– the grace to tear down the great wall of your pride, and open your heart to God with humility. God’s compassionate love “changes the sinner’s heart. This is not humiliating or traumatic; it is liberating. Pride is the only obstacle.”#3
Realize that the Lord can forgive anyone, except those who do not want to ask for pardon. (J. Urteaga, Ahora Comienzo!)
Humility and Faith
* The proud person and the unbelieving person have more in common than might appear. A person without faith is like a blind man who travels the world and sees created things without discovering God. A proud person discovers and sees God in nature, but fails to discover him and see him in his own self. If you discover God in yourself you will be humble and you will attribute to him whatever good is in you. (S. Canals, Jesus as Friend)
* Faith is not found among the proud, but among the humble. (St Augustine, Catena Aurea, vol. 6, p. 297)
* True faith shows itself in humility.
Dicebat enim intra se –that poor woman said to herself: Si tetigero tantum vestimentum eius, salva ero –if I can but touch the hem of his garment, I shall be healed.
What humility she showed. It was both a result and a sign of her faith. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 324)
* Only he who accepts his own moral and intellectual limits, and acknowledges he is in need of salvation, can be opened to faith; then, in faith, he can find in Christ his Redeemer. (John Paul II, Hom. 21-I-1980)
* Faith is ultimately a grace, a gratuitous gift, something freely extended to us by God; and God gives this grace in direct proportion to one’s humility.
A humble man without faith, but who sincerely desires to have faith, will certainly end up by receiving the gift, because God refuses no one. On the other hand, just as pride increases, faith diminishes.
The man who is humble and clearly realizes what it means to be a creature weakened by original sin does not rely on himself; he does not trust himself. The more clearly he sees how untrustworthy he is, the more he relies on Revelation.
The most humble of all creatures, our Lady, immediately believed the message of the angel. The fact that it is difficult to see the Will of God in matters of vocation is frequently due to a hidden pride that weakens a man’s faith and prevents him from taking the risk. I refer to vocation because, after all, it is the keystone to everyone’s existence. (F. Suárez, Mary of Nazareth, 2)
* Certainly you can go to Hell. You are convinced it could happen, for in your heart you find the seeds of all kinds of evil.
But if you become a child before God, that fact will bring you close to your Father God, and to your Mother, Holy Mary. And neither will Saint Joseph nor your Angel leave you unprotected when they see that you are a child.
Have faith. Do as much as you can –penance and Love!– and they will supply the rest. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 598)
Humility and Knowledge of God
* You find yourself in a position that seems rather strange: On the one hand, you feel fainthearted as you look inward; on the other, sure, encouraged as you look upward.
Don’t worry; it is a sign that you are beginning to know yourself better and –more important– that you are beginning to know Him better. (J. Escrivá, Furrow, n. 122)
* That Christ you see is not Jesus. At best it is only the pitiful image that your blurred eyes are able to form....
Purify yourself. Make your sight cleaner with humility and penance. Then the pure light of love will not fail you. And you will have perfect vision. The image you see will really be his: Jesus himself. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 212)
Humility and Prayer
“We have sinned, we are guilty.... Listen, my God, listen to us; open your eyes and look at our ruins and the city that bears your name.... We rely not on our just deeds, but on your great mercy” (Dan 9:15,18). The humble prayer of prophet Daniel was based not on his own merits, but on God’s compassion; his prayer was answered.
* Jesus retired with his disciples to the lands of the Gentiles, in the region of Sidon and Tyre. There, a woman came to them shouting loudly: “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is cruelly tormented by the devil.” Jesus heard her, but did not respond. St Augustine comments that Jesus did not answer her because he knew what she was to receive. He did not remain silent in order to refuse her, but so that she –through her humble persevering prayer– would merit the favor.
The woman insisted for a long time, and her persistence led our Lord to answer her using an image that she understood at once: “It is not right to take the children’s bread and cast it to the dogs.” He was telling her that he had been sent to the sons of Israel, and should not show preference for pagans.
With great humility, the woman replied: “It is true, Lord, but even the dogs can eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” She recognized her true place; she confessed as her lords those whom Jesus called children. The woman was transformed by humility, and deserved to sit at the table with the children. She conquered the heart of God. (F. Fernandez, In Conversation with God, 4, 51)
* My God, teach me how to love; my God, teach me how to pray. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 66)
* We must ask God for faith, hope, and charity, with humility, with persevering prayer, with upright behavior and a clean life. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 67)
* God grants the humble man everything that he asks for in his prayer. (St Basil, Admonitions to His Spiritual Children)
* O Lord, my God, you are all my good; who am I, to dare speak to you? I am the least, the poorest of your servants, nothing but a wretched little worm, far poorer and more insignificant than I know or dare to say.
Remember, O Lord, that I am nothing, have nothing, and can do nothing.
You alone are good, just, and holy. You can do all things; grant all things; fill all things; leaving only the sinner empty of your graces.
Remember your mercies; fill my heart with your grace, for you do not want your works to remain empty.
How can I bear this wretched life, if you do not support me with your compassion and grace?
Do not turn your face away from me; do not delay in coming to me; do not take away your consolation from me, so that my soul may not be like a parched land, thirsty for you.
Lord, teach me to do your Will. Teach me to live worthily and humbly in your presence. You are my wisdom; you know me as I really am, and you knew me before the world was made, and before I was born into this world. (Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, book 3, ch. 3)
THANKFULNESS
Humility toward God is also manifested by thankfulness, seeing God as the source of all the natural and supernatural gifts in us and in others. Instead of crediting these gifts to ourselves, we refer all honor to God and also acknowledge that we have often misused these gifts.
The Humble Shall Be Exalted
* Elizabeth praised Mary’s faith; our Lady sang a canticle in praise of humility. The first impression that one gets on reading the Magnificat is that everything it contains is true; its truth is quite obvious. It is only just that she should give thanks to God because He had done great things for her.
Why should Mary have been chosen from among millions of women to be –full of grace– the mother of the Messiah? It had never even occurred to her that she might be counted among the ancestors of the God made man, and she was unable to understand the mystery fully, although she knew what the mystery was.
She had not willed herself into existence, nor chosen to be a woman, nor chosen the race to which she would belong. God had arranged everything according to His own Will, and she, seeing this clearly, could hardly find words to show the extent of her thankfulness; she had to take them from Scripture.
Mary’s thankfulness was justified. It was true that God had done great things; it was her duty to recognize this, and be thankful for it. (F. Suárez, Mary of Nazareth, 2)
* There are many proud men who sit at the last places; with pride filling their hearts, they see themselves at the head of the others. There are also many humble men seated in the first places who are convinced that they should be in the last seats. (St John Chrysostom, Catena Aurea, 3, p. 106)
* God exalts those who carry out his Will in the very same things in which he humbled them. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 771)
* “He who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted.” Not everyone who exalts himself before men is humbled, neither is everyone who humbles himself before men praised by them. But he who boasts of his merit shall be humiliated by the Lord; and he who becomes humble by considering God’s benefits shall be exalted by him. (St Bede, Catena Aurea, 6, p. 167)
* All vices lead to hell, especially pride; all virtues lead to heaven, especially humility. Thus, we understand why he who humbles himself is exalted. (St John Chrysostom, Hom. On St Matthew, 15)
* My son, strive after humility; it is the most sublime virtue, the ladder to ascend to the summit of perfection. Resolutions are carried out only through humility; the labors of many years are reduced to nothing through pride.
The humble man resembles God, and carries him in the temple of his soul; the proud resembles the devil, and is hateful to God.
Even under a vile and insignificant appearance, the humble is glorious in virtue; even under a neat and exquisite appearance, the proud is fruitless in deeds.
The proud man is easily detected; his gait and gestures reveal his pride; his words disclose his superficiality. He is always begging for praises; though poor in every virtue, he pretends to abound in them. He hardly bears being subject to anyone; he always aims at being in the first place, and vies to rise still higher. What he cannot obtain by merit, he grabs through ambition. He always walks inflated, like a balloon; he is aimless, like a pilotless ship tossed by waves.
The humble person, on the contrary, eludes earthly honors, and holds himself as the least of men. Although he looks unimportant, he is of great value in the eyes of God. When he has done everything that God commanded him, he affirms that he has done nothing. He is prompt to hide all the virtues of his soul, but the Lord unveils and discloses his works, and makes all his wonderful deeds known. God will answer all his prayers and will glorify him. (St Basil the Great, Admonitions to His Spiritual Children.)
* The lower a heart drops through humility, the higher it rises toward perfection. (St Augustine, Sermon on Humility and Fear of the Lord)
* “Every valley is to be bridged, and every mountain and hill leveled” –the gifts rejected from the hearts of the proud enrich the humble ones. (St Gregory the Great, Hom. 20 on the Gospels)
* The more I am exalted, my Jesus, the more you must humble me in my heart, showing me what I’ve been and what I’ll be if you forsake me. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 591)
* There is never a man richer, none with greater power, and greater freedom, than he who knows how to renounce himself and everything else, setting himself in the lowest place. (Imitation of Christ, 2, 11, 5)
* This building of ours is entirely founded on humility; thus, the closer one is to God, the humbler one should be. Otherwise everything else is wasted. (St Teresa, Life, 12, 2)
DEPENDENCE ON GOD
Humility toward God is manifested by a sense of dependence on him, seeing ourselves unable to do any good, without his help. Thus, we implore God’s grace. Sanctity implies abandonment in God’s Will.
The Lord Is the Custodian of the Humble
* Humility mainly implies a man’s subjection to God; for him, one also submits oneself to others. (St Thomas of Aquinas, Summa Theologica, 2-2, q. 161. a.1)
* Each day, O my God, I am less sure of myself and more sure of you! (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 729)
* You, who see yourself so badly lacking in virtues, in talents, in abilities.... Do you not feel the desire to cry out like the blind Bartimaeus, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me”?
What a beautiful aspiration for you to say very often, “Lord, have pity on me!”
He will hear you, and come to your aid. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 197)
* Let us be humble if we do anything good; our good deeds should not fill us with pride.
God tells the humble through the words of the psalmist: “The Lord is the protector of the humble” (Ps 114:6). (St Gregory the Great, Hom. 28 On the Gospels)
* The truth is that, if we serve the Lord with humility, he will sooner or later assist us in our needs. But, if we lack this virtue, the Lord will leave us to ourselves, as they say, at every step. This is a great favor on his part, for it helps us to realize fully that we have nothing which has not been given us. (St Teresa, The Way of Perfection, 38, 7)
* Without the Lord you will not be able to take one sure step forward. This conviction that you need his help will lead you to be more united to him with a strong, enduring confidence, accompanied by joy and peace, even though the road might become hard and steep. (J. Escrivá, Furrow, n. 770)
* God replies to the attitude which each person adopts to him; his reply depends directly on the person’s attitude, and is provoked by it.
The second part of the Magnificat refers to this clearly: “He hath showed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.”
God is attracted by the humble and repelled by the proud. Whoever is emptied of himself is capable of being filled completely by God; but whoever lives for himself and is filled with his own ego has no room for God. God cannot fill him because he is already full.
When the apostle St James says: “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble,” he expresses that incompatibility between God and the proud. The point of contact between God and man is grace; and grace can enter only where there is room for it, and where it is invited. (F. Suárez, Mary of Nazareth, 2)
* It’s humble people God protects and preserves, whom he loves and comforts; he stoops down and gives them his grace lavishly, raising the humble man to heights of glory, as soon as humiliation has done its work. Such a man he chooses for his confidant, beckons to him gently, and shares his life. Only a humble man takes it calmly when he is out to the blush –what does it matter? It is God, not the world, that gives him peace. (Imitation of Christ, 2, 2, 3)
* Whoever does not want to humble himself cannot be saved. (St Bede, Comment. on the Gospel of St Luke, 1)
* The designs of God –what he chooses to do, his Will, his actions, and his grace– are all one and the same thing. All these work together to enable us to reach perfection –as perfection is the soul’s faithful cooperation with God.
To become perfect we need not understand the designs of God, but only obey them. If a person accepts God’s Will with all simplicity, he will reach perfection without ever realizing it –just as a sick man who swallows his medicine obediently will be cured, although he neither knows nor cares about medicine. We need not know about the chemistry of combustion to enjoy the warmth of a fire.
Holiness is produced in us by the Will of God and our humble acceptance of it. We must put all speculation aside and, with childlike willingness, accept all that God presents to us. What God arranges for us to experience at each moment is the best and holiest thing that could happen to us. (J. de la Caussade, Abandonment to Divine Providence)
* To be good and humble it is necessary to be in the right position before God, before our neighbor, and before ourselves.
Before God, the right position is that of Abraham, who said: “I am only dust and ashes before you, O Lord!” We must feel small before God.
When I say, “Lord, I believe,” I am not ashamed to feel like a child before his mother; I believe in the Lord, in what He has revealed to me. The commandments are at times a little difficult to observe; but God gave them to us not to satisfy a whim, not in His own interest, but solely in our interest. We must be humble and fulfil them.
Once a man went to buy a car from the dealer. The latter talked to him plainly: “Look here, it’s a good car; mind that you treat it well; premium gas in the tank, and oil of good quality for the engine.”
But the buyer replied: “Oh, no, for your information, I can’t stand the smell of gasoline, or oil; I’ll put champagne, which I like so much, in the tank and I’ll oil the engine with jam.” “Do what you like; but don’t come and complain if you end up junking the car in a ditch!”
The Lord did something similar with us: He gave us this body, animated by an intelligent soul and a good will. God said, “this machine is a good one, but treat it well...” The commandments are for us what gasoline and oil for a car. If we are humble and observe the commandments, we will be better off, and so would the world. (John Paul I, General Audience, September 6, 1978)
Divinization in the Good Sense: Becoming God-like
Humility is the basis of divinization (in the proper sense of the word): “A man becomes God,” writes St Clement of Alexandria, “because he loves whatever God loves.”#4 This divinization prevents us from falling into discouragement upon seeing our miseries, and allows us to begin again with the clear awareness of being children of God.
* Christian existence should develop under the “umbrella” of God’s mercy. Ever mindful of that, the Christian should strive to behave as a child of God.
I am talking about the interior life of ordinary Christians who habitually find themselves in the hubbub of the city, in the light of day, in the street, at work, with their families or simply relaxing; they are centered on Jesus all day long. And what is this except a life of continuous prayer?
Isn’t it true that you have seen the need to become a soul of prayer, to reach intimacy with God that leads to divinization? (J. Escrivá, Christ Is Passing By, 8)
* Together with humility, the realization of the greatness of man’s dignity –and the overwhelming fact that, by grace, we are made children of God– forms a single attitude. It is not our own forces that save us and give us life; it is the grace of God. This is a truth that can never be forgotten. If it were, the divinization of our life would be perverted and would become presumption, pride. And this would lead, sooner or later, to a breakdown of spiritual life, when the soul came face to face with its own weakness and wretchedness. (J. Escrivá, Christ Is Passing By, 133)
* Shall I dare to say, “I am holy?”
If I mean by “holy” that I bring holiness and that I need no one to make me holy, I would be a liar and full of pride.
But if by “holy” I understand one who is made holy, as we read in Leviticus, “You will be holy, because I, God, am holy,” then the whole Body of Christ, down to the last man living at the ends of the earth, may dare say, together with its Head and under Him, “I am holy.” (St Augustine, Enarrationes in Psalmos, 85,4 PL 37,1084)
* “Father,” said that big fellow, a good student at the Central#5 –I wonder what has become of him– “I was thinking of what you told me, that I’m a son of God!, and I found myself walking along the street, head up, chin out, and a feeling of pride inside –a son of God!”
With sure conscience I advised him to foster that “pride.” (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 274)
* Give in? Be just commonplace? You, a sheep‑like follower? You were born to be a leader!
Among us there is no place for the lukewarm. Humble yourself and Christ will kindle in you again the fire of Love. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 16)
* Dark clouds cover the sky of your life; you don’t feel like doing anything; then there is nothing to which you look forward. A heavy downpour of sadness fell, and you experienced a strong sensation of being hemmed in. And, to crown it all, discouragement set in, which grew out of a more or less objective fact; you have been struggling for so many years, and you are still so far behind, so far.
All this is necessary, and God is using these means; to attain gaudium cum pace, true peace and joy, we have to combine the realization of our personal weakness with the conviction of our divine filiation, which fills us with optimism. (J. Escrivá, Furrow, n. 78)
* When we’re working for God, we have to have a superiority complex –I told you.
But isn’t that a sign of pride? you asked me. No. It is a consequence of humility; the humility that makes me say, “Lord, you are who you are. I am nothingness itself. You have all the perfections: power, strength, love, glory, wisdom, authority, dignity.... If I unite myself to you, like a child who goes to the strong embrace of his father or sits on his dear mother’s knee, I will feel the warmth of your divinity, I will experience the light of your wisdom, I will sense your strength running through my veins.” (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 342)
* If you feel, for whatever reason, that you cannot manage to go on, abandon yourself to God, telling him, “Lord, I trust in you, I abandon myself in you, but do help me in my weakness!”
And filled with confidence, repeat, “See, Jesus, what a filthy rag I am. My life seems to me so miserable. I am not worthy to be a son of yours.” Tell him all this...; and tell him so over and over again.
It will not be long before you hear him say, Ne timeas!, do not be afraid; and also, Surge et ambula!, rise up and walk! (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 287)
Without God, Nothing
* Depend on Jesus for everything. You have nothing, are worth nothing, are capable of nothing. He will act, if you abandon yourself to him. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 731)
* No one can reach sanctity except through genuine humility.
Each one must show this humility, first toward his brothers, but also toward God. You aspire to sanctity and run toward it; be convinced then, if God does not protect and help you at every instant, you will not possibly reach this goal. (Cassian, Institutions, 12, 23)
* A Christian always triumphs when he begins from the Cross, from his self‑renunciation, because he allows God’s omnipotence to act. (J. Escrivá, Furrow, n. 995)
* Our reason and other faculties are worthwhile only when they are used as instruments of God’s activity.
God’s action is boundless in its scope and power, but it can only fill our soul if we empty it of all false confidence in our own ability. This false confidence can hinder the activity of God within us.
If it pleases him, God can change all obstacles into aids for our spiritual progress. (J. de la Caussade, Abandonment to Divine Providence)
* Without God, all that remains of man’s greatness is that little pile of dust, in a dish, at one side of the altar, on Ash Wednesday. It is what the Church marks us with –as though with our own substance– on our forehead. (J. Leclerq, A Year with the Liturgy)
* Humility endows us with dignity; it inspires us with boldness, enterprise, and courage in the service of God. Not being afraid to face the confusion and humiliation that accompany failure, we are always ready to undertake great enterprises for God’s glory. To attempt these enterprises while relying on our own powers alone would be the height of folly; to undertake them with confidence in the power of God is to exercise faith.
By ignoring our ego and placing ourselves entirely under the influence of what is divine, we become good instruments in the hands of the Holy Spirit for effecting his plans in ourselves, in others, and in the world. The more a man subjects himself to God, the more efficient he becomes.#6
* Cast away that despair produced by the realization of your misery. It’s true; financially you are a zero, and socially another zero, and another in virtues, and another in talent....
But to the left of these zeroes is Christ.... And what an immeasurable figure it turns out to be! (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 473)
* When you want to do things well, really well, it’s then you do them worse. Humble yourself before Jesus, saying to him, “Don’t you see how I do everything wrong? Well, if you don’t help me very much, I’ll do it all even worse!
“Have compassion on your child; you see, I want to write a great page each day in the book of my life. But I’m so clumsy that if the Master doesn’t guide my hand, instead of graceful strokes, my pen leaves behind blots and scratches that can’t be shown to anyone.
“From now on, Jesus, the writing will always be done by both of us together.” (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 882)
* It was because of pride –you thought you were already capable of everything, all by yourself.
He left you for a moment, and you fell –headlong.
Be humble, and his extraordinary aid will not fail you. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 611)
* They said: “It is madness to trust in God...!”
And is it not greater madness to trust in oneself, or in other men? (J. Escrivá, Furrow, n. 44)
* Why feel hurt by the unjust things people say of you? You would be even worse, if God ever left you.
Keep on doing good, and shrug your shoulders. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 45)
* You realize you are weak. And so, indeed, you are. In spite of all that –rather, because of it– God has sought you.
He always uses inadequate instruments so that the “work” may be seen to be his.
From you he asks only docility. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 475)
* Although you say you follow him, in one way or another you always make sure that it is you who do things, according to your plans, relying on your strength alone. But the Lord said: Sine me nihil! –Without me you can do nothing. (J. Escrivá, Furrow, n. 697)
Magnanimity: Striving Higher
* Some ask if magnanimity –having a valiant spirit– is compatible with humility.
Only a false humility shrinks the spirit and quenches the great desires that the Lord wants us to harbor. Genuine humility is always crowned with magnanimity, daring to strive higher.
Humility shows itself in Jesus’ coming to serve, not to be served. And magnanimity shows itself in the Lord’ coming to save all and each man; he gave his life as a ransom for all (cf. Mt 20:28).
Mary, Mother of God and our mother, is humble and magnanimous. While she declares to be the “little slave girl of the Lord,” she acknowledges that all generations shall call her “blessed” for all the great things that the Mighty One did in her. Mary will convince us that “nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37).
Our humility is that of the donkey in the streets of Jerusalem carrying Christ, without deserving it. The donkey is not an exceptional mount itself, yet it must admit that God is riding on its saddle.
If ever humility makes us feel clumsy and powerless to accomplish a noble act, magnanimity will make us feel all powerful, like St Paul shouting that he can do all things in Jesus.
Humility has its foundations in the honest appraisal of our own worth. Reverence toward God and a right attitude toward neighbor both sprout from humility. With the logic of the saints, the humble makes use of all the talents received from the Lord; trusting in him, he puts himself at the service of all men, with the eagerness to reach higher goals. (J. Urteaga, Ahora Comienzo!)
* You told me, in confidence, that in your prayer you would open your heart to God with these words: “I think of my wretchedness, which seems to be increasing despite the graces you send me. It must be due to my lack of correspondence. I acknowledge my lack of preparation for the enterprise you are asking of me. By contrast, I read in the newspapers of so very many highly qualified and respected men, with formidable talents, and no lack of financial resources, speaking, writing, organizing in defense of your kingdom...
“I look at myself, and see that I’m a nobody –ignorant, poor– so little; this would fill me with shame if I did not know that you want me to be so. But Lord Jesus, you know that I gladly put my ambition at your feet....
“In Faith and Love, to be loving, believing, suffering; in these things I do want to be rich and learned; but no more rich nor learned than you –in your limitless Mercy– have wanted me to be. I desire to invest all my prestige and honor into fulfilling your most just and lovable Will.”
I then advised you: Don’t leave this merely as a wishful thinking. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 822)
* Work with humility. I mean, count first on God’s blessings, which will not fail you; then, on your good desires, on the plans you have for working –and on your difficulties! Do not forget that you must always include among those difficulties your own lack of holiness.
You will be a good instrument if every day you struggle to be better. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 821)
FOOTNOTES:
1. St Thomas of Aquinas, S.Th., II-IIae, q.162, a. 6.
2. St Ambrose, De Exposit. In Ps. 118
3. John Paul II, Speech in Massabielle, Lourdes, 14-VIII-1983.
4. Paedagogus, 3, I, I, 5, PG 8,556.
5. The Central: This is how the Complutense University of Madrid was called at the time The Way was written.
6. Cf. E. Leen, In the Likeness of Christ, 2, 2.
We must rely on God and in the means he uses for our sanctification and training: the sacraments and the Church’s Magisterium. Otherwise, we will be like the false doctors denounced by St Paul who “do not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, heap up to themselves teachers according to their own lusts” (2 Tim 4:3).
PIETY
Humility toward God is manifested first of all by piety and reverence, whereby we honor God as the fullness of perfection. Piety results in acts of adoration, praise, filial fear, and filial love.
Humility Prepares a Soul to Get Closer to God
* Through piety, saints become humble. (St Augustine, On the Sermon of the Mountain, 1, 18)
* Be aware of this: Nothing is more excellent, nothing more amiable than humility. It is the chief preserver of virtues, a sort of guardian of all of them. Being great through the achievements of our life, nothing else makes us more acceptable to men and God than making ourselves little through humility. (St Jerome, Letter 148, 20)
* The glory of man is God. (St Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses, 3, 20)
* Humility prepares a person to achieve, without constraints, spiritual and divine goods. (St Augustine, Tr. on Virginity, 51)
* If at any time you feel uneasy at the thought of our sister death because you see yourself to be such a poor creature, take heart –heaven awaits us. Consider what it will be like when all the infinite beauty, greatness, happiness, and Love of God is poured into the poor clay vessel that the human being is, satisfying it eternally with the freshness of an ever new joy. (J. Escrivá, Furrow, n. 891)
* It’s not lack of humility to be aware of your soul’s progress. That way you can thank God for it.
But don’t forget that you are a beggar, wearing a good suit.... on loan. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 608)
* Make this firm and determined resolution: To recall, when you receive honors and praise, everything that brings you shame and embarrassment.
The shame and embarrassment are yours; the praise and the glory are God’s. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 252)
* Pride is the root of all vices; humility the source of all virtues. Humility is the entrance gate for all the graces God sends us; it seasons our actions, making them valuable and pleasing to God; it makes us –in a figurative sense– masters of God’s heart, for God never resists a humble heart. (St John Vianney, Sermon on Pride)
* “I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and given to a people yielding its fruits” (Mt 21:43). The vineyard was given to somebody else, as it happens with the gift of grace; the proud spurn grace and it is gathered by the humble. (Raban Maurus, Catena Aurea, 3, p. 48)
* The gift of grace, rejected by the proud man, enriches the humble. (St Bede, Catena Aurea, 6, p. 337)
* When our vision is clouded, when our eyes have lost their clarity, we need to go to the light. And Jesus Christ has told us that he is the Light of the world and that he has come to heal the sick.
That is why your weaknesses and your falls –when God allows them– should not separate you from Christ, but rather draw you closer to him. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 158)
* If you have done something wrong, be it big or small, go running back to God.
Savor those words of the psalm, cor contritum et humiliatum, Deus, non despicies –the Lord will never despise or ignore a contrite and humbled heart. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 172)
* In the story of the Tower of Babel, the exclusion of God from human affairs is presented not so much under the aspect of opposition to him as under that of simply leaving him out of account, out of indifference toward him, as if God were of no relevance in the sphere of man’s cooperative undertakings. But in both cases, that of our first parents and that of the constructors of the Tower, the relationship to God is severed with violence.
Why did the ambitious project fail? Why did “the builders build in vain”? They failed because they had set up, as a sign and guarantee of the unity they desired, a work that was to be of their own hands alone, and had forgotten the action of the Lord. (John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation Reconciliatio et Poenitentia, 14 and 13)
* You are like the little pauper who suddenly finds out that he is the son of the King. That is why now the only thing that concerns you on this earth is the glory of your Father God, his glory in everything. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 334)
* We commit sins out of ignorance, weakness, indifference, or hardness of heart.... but I wish that you and I would never be stubborn; that we would not sin against Light. God resists the proud; “even though all vices separate us from God, only pride is directly against him.”#1
Are you shut off from God by your pride?
The impressive mercy of God cannot do anything within you, if you do not open yourself to God:
- Open up to Light;
- Open up to Love;
- Open up to the Almighty Power;
- Open up to Forgiveness;
- Open up to the Savior.
Pride has sealed off your eyes, your ears, the window and gate of your soul. “Even though he can enter, God does not want to break in rudely; he does not want to force anyone against one’s will.”#2
Did you know that God’s love, God’s passion for man’s freedom, went thus far? By closing your windows, you are in darkness within your hell, while the space around you is flooded with light. God gives you his hand; and you –rotten with pride– reject it.
Ask our Lady –this is a friend’s advice– the grace to tear down the great wall of your pride, and open your heart to God with humility. God’s compassionate love “changes the sinner’s heart. This is not humiliating or traumatic; it is liberating. Pride is the only obstacle.”#3
Realize that the Lord can forgive anyone, except those who do not want to ask for pardon. (J. Urteaga, Ahora Comienzo!)
Humility and Faith
* The proud person and the unbelieving person have more in common than might appear. A person without faith is like a blind man who travels the world and sees created things without discovering God. A proud person discovers and sees God in nature, but fails to discover him and see him in his own self. If you discover God in yourself you will be humble and you will attribute to him whatever good is in you. (S. Canals, Jesus as Friend)
* Faith is not found among the proud, but among the humble. (St Augustine, Catena Aurea, vol. 6, p. 297)
* True faith shows itself in humility.
Dicebat enim intra se –that poor woman said to herself: Si tetigero tantum vestimentum eius, salva ero –if I can but touch the hem of his garment, I shall be healed.
What humility she showed. It was both a result and a sign of her faith. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 324)
* Only he who accepts his own moral and intellectual limits, and acknowledges he is in need of salvation, can be opened to faith; then, in faith, he can find in Christ his Redeemer. (John Paul II, Hom. 21-I-1980)
* Faith is ultimately a grace, a gratuitous gift, something freely extended to us by God; and God gives this grace in direct proportion to one’s humility.
A humble man without faith, but who sincerely desires to have faith, will certainly end up by receiving the gift, because God refuses no one. On the other hand, just as pride increases, faith diminishes.
The man who is humble and clearly realizes what it means to be a creature weakened by original sin does not rely on himself; he does not trust himself. The more clearly he sees how untrustworthy he is, the more he relies on Revelation.
The most humble of all creatures, our Lady, immediately believed the message of the angel. The fact that it is difficult to see the Will of God in matters of vocation is frequently due to a hidden pride that weakens a man’s faith and prevents him from taking the risk. I refer to vocation because, after all, it is the keystone to everyone’s existence. (F. Suárez, Mary of Nazareth, 2)
* Certainly you can go to Hell. You are convinced it could happen, for in your heart you find the seeds of all kinds of evil.
But if you become a child before God, that fact will bring you close to your Father God, and to your Mother, Holy Mary. And neither will Saint Joseph nor your Angel leave you unprotected when they see that you are a child.
Have faith. Do as much as you can –penance and Love!– and they will supply the rest. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 598)
Humility and Knowledge of God
* You find yourself in a position that seems rather strange: On the one hand, you feel fainthearted as you look inward; on the other, sure, encouraged as you look upward.
Don’t worry; it is a sign that you are beginning to know yourself better and –more important– that you are beginning to know Him better. (J. Escrivá, Furrow, n. 122)
* That Christ you see is not Jesus. At best it is only the pitiful image that your blurred eyes are able to form....
Purify yourself. Make your sight cleaner with humility and penance. Then the pure light of love will not fail you. And you will have perfect vision. The image you see will really be his: Jesus himself. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 212)
Humility and Prayer
“We have sinned, we are guilty.... Listen, my God, listen to us; open your eyes and look at our ruins and the city that bears your name.... We rely not on our just deeds, but on your great mercy” (Dan 9:15,18). The humble prayer of prophet Daniel was based not on his own merits, but on God’s compassion; his prayer was answered.
* Jesus retired with his disciples to the lands of the Gentiles, in the region of Sidon and Tyre. There, a woman came to them shouting loudly: “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is cruelly tormented by the devil.” Jesus heard her, but did not respond. St Augustine comments that Jesus did not answer her because he knew what she was to receive. He did not remain silent in order to refuse her, but so that she –through her humble persevering prayer– would merit the favor.
The woman insisted for a long time, and her persistence led our Lord to answer her using an image that she understood at once: “It is not right to take the children’s bread and cast it to the dogs.” He was telling her that he had been sent to the sons of Israel, and should not show preference for pagans.
With great humility, the woman replied: “It is true, Lord, but even the dogs can eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” She recognized her true place; she confessed as her lords those whom Jesus called children. The woman was transformed by humility, and deserved to sit at the table with the children. She conquered the heart of God. (F. Fernandez, In Conversation with God, 4, 51)
* My God, teach me how to love; my God, teach me how to pray. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 66)
* We must ask God for faith, hope, and charity, with humility, with persevering prayer, with upright behavior and a clean life. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 67)
* God grants the humble man everything that he asks for in his prayer. (St Basil, Admonitions to His Spiritual Children)
* O Lord, my God, you are all my good; who am I, to dare speak to you? I am the least, the poorest of your servants, nothing but a wretched little worm, far poorer and more insignificant than I know or dare to say.
Remember, O Lord, that I am nothing, have nothing, and can do nothing.
You alone are good, just, and holy. You can do all things; grant all things; fill all things; leaving only the sinner empty of your graces.
Remember your mercies; fill my heart with your grace, for you do not want your works to remain empty.
How can I bear this wretched life, if you do not support me with your compassion and grace?
Do not turn your face away from me; do not delay in coming to me; do not take away your consolation from me, so that my soul may not be like a parched land, thirsty for you.
Lord, teach me to do your Will. Teach me to live worthily and humbly in your presence. You are my wisdom; you know me as I really am, and you knew me before the world was made, and before I was born into this world. (Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, book 3, ch. 3)
THANKFULNESS
Humility toward God is also manifested by thankfulness, seeing God as the source of all the natural and supernatural gifts in us and in others. Instead of crediting these gifts to ourselves, we refer all honor to God and also acknowledge that we have often misused these gifts.
The Humble Shall Be Exalted
* Elizabeth praised Mary’s faith; our Lady sang a canticle in praise of humility. The first impression that one gets on reading the Magnificat is that everything it contains is true; its truth is quite obvious. It is only just that she should give thanks to God because He had done great things for her.
Why should Mary have been chosen from among millions of women to be –full of grace– the mother of the Messiah? It had never even occurred to her that she might be counted among the ancestors of the God made man, and she was unable to understand the mystery fully, although she knew what the mystery was.
She had not willed herself into existence, nor chosen to be a woman, nor chosen the race to which she would belong. God had arranged everything according to His own Will, and she, seeing this clearly, could hardly find words to show the extent of her thankfulness; she had to take them from Scripture.
Mary’s thankfulness was justified. It was true that God had done great things; it was her duty to recognize this, and be thankful for it. (F. Suárez, Mary of Nazareth, 2)
* There are many proud men who sit at the last places; with pride filling their hearts, they see themselves at the head of the others. There are also many humble men seated in the first places who are convinced that they should be in the last seats. (St John Chrysostom, Catena Aurea, 3, p. 106)
* God exalts those who carry out his Will in the very same things in which he humbled them. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 771)
* “He who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted.” Not everyone who exalts himself before men is humbled, neither is everyone who humbles himself before men praised by them. But he who boasts of his merit shall be humiliated by the Lord; and he who becomes humble by considering God’s benefits shall be exalted by him. (St Bede, Catena Aurea, 6, p. 167)
* All vices lead to hell, especially pride; all virtues lead to heaven, especially humility. Thus, we understand why he who humbles himself is exalted. (St John Chrysostom, Hom. On St Matthew, 15)
* My son, strive after humility; it is the most sublime virtue, the ladder to ascend to the summit of perfection. Resolutions are carried out only through humility; the labors of many years are reduced to nothing through pride.
The humble man resembles God, and carries him in the temple of his soul; the proud resembles the devil, and is hateful to God.
Even under a vile and insignificant appearance, the humble is glorious in virtue; even under a neat and exquisite appearance, the proud is fruitless in deeds.
The proud man is easily detected; his gait and gestures reveal his pride; his words disclose his superficiality. He is always begging for praises; though poor in every virtue, he pretends to abound in them. He hardly bears being subject to anyone; he always aims at being in the first place, and vies to rise still higher. What he cannot obtain by merit, he grabs through ambition. He always walks inflated, like a balloon; he is aimless, like a pilotless ship tossed by waves.
The humble person, on the contrary, eludes earthly honors, and holds himself as the least of men. Although he looks unimportant, he is of great value in the eyes of God. When he has done everything that God commanded him, he affirms that he has done nothing. He is prompt to hide all the virtues of his soul, but the Lord unveils and discloses his works, and makes all his wonderful deeds known. God will answer all his prayers and will glorify him. (St Basil the Great, Admonitions to His Spiritual Children.)
* The lower a heart drops through humility, the higher it rises toward perfection. (St Augustine, Sermon on Humility and Fear of the Lord)
* “Every valley is to be bridged, and every mountain and hill leveled” –the gifts rejected from the hearts of the proud enrich the humble ones. (St Gregory the Great, Hom. 20 on the Gospels)
* The more I am exalted, my Jesus, the more you must humble me in my heart, showing me what I’ve been and what I’ll be if you forsake me. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 591)
* There is never a man richer, none with greater power, and greater freedom, than he who knows how to renounce himself and everything else, setting himself in the lowest place. (Imitation of Christ, 2, 11, 5)
* This building of ours is entirely founded on humility; thus, the closer one is to God, the humbler one should be. Otherwise everything else is wasted. (St Teresa, Life, 12, 2)
DEPENDENCE ON GOD
Humility toward God is manifested by a sense of dependence on him, seeing ourselves unable to do any good, without his help. Thus, we implore God’s grace. Sanctity implies abandonment in God’s Will.
The Lord Is the Custodian of the Humble
* Humility mainly implies a man’s subjection to God; for him, one also submits oneself to others. (St Thomas of Aquinas, Summa Theologica, 2-2, q. 161. a.1)
* Each day, O my God, I am less sure of myself and more sure of you! (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 729)
* You, who see yourself so badly lacking in virtues, in talents, in abilities.... Do you not feel the desire to cry out like the blind Bartimaeus, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me”?
What a beautiful aspiration for you to say very often, “Lord, have pity on me!”
He will hear you, and come to your aid. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 197)
* Let us be humble if we do anything good; our good deeds should not fill us with pride.
God tells the humble through the words of the psalmist: “The Lord is the protector of the humble” (Ps 114:6). (St Gregory the Great, Hom. 28 On the Gospels)
* The truth is that, if we serve the Lord with humility, he will sooner or later assist us in our needs. But, if we lack this virtue, the Lord will leave us to ourselves, as they say, at every step. This is a great favor on his part, for it helps us to realize fully that we have nothing which has not been given us. (St Teresa, The Way of Perfection, 38, 7)
* Without the Lord you will not be able to take one sure step forward. This conviction that you need his help will lead you to be more united to him with a strong, enduring confidence, accompanied by joy and peace, even though the road might become hard and steep. (J. Escrivá, Furrow, n. 770)
* God replies to the attitude which each person adopts to him; his reply depends directly on the person’s attitude, and is provoked by it.
The second part of the Magnificat refers to this clearly: “He hath showed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.”
God is attracted by the humble and repelled by the proud. Whoever is emptied of himself is capable of being filled completely by God; but whoever lives for himself and is filled with his own ego has no room for God. God cannot fill him because he is already full.
When the apostle St James says: “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble,” he expresses that incompatibility between God and the proud. The point of contact between God and man is grace; and grace can enter only where there is room for it, and where it is invited. (F. Suárez, Mary of Nazareth, 2)
* It’s humble people God protects and preserves, whom he loves and comforts; he stoops down and gives them his grace lavishly, raising the humble man to heights of glory, as soon as humiliation has done its work. Such a man he chooses for his confidant, beckons to him gently, and shares his life. Only a humble man takes it calmly when he is out to the blush –what does it matter? It is God, not the world, that gives him peace. (Imitation of Christ, 2, 2, 3)
* Whoever does not want to humble himself cannot be saved. (St Bede, Comment. on the Gospel of St Luke, 1)
* The designs of God –what he chooses to do, his Will, his actions, and his grace– are all one and the same thing. All these work together to enable us to reach perfection –as perfection is the soul’s faithful cooperation with God.
To become perfect we need not understand the designs of God, but only obey them. If a person accepts God’s Will with all simplicity, he will reach perfection without ever realizing it –just as a sick man who swallows his medicine obediently will be cured, although he neither knows nor cares about medicine. We need not know about the chemistry of combustion to enjoy the warmth of a fire.
Holiness is produced in us by the Will of God and our humble acceptance of it. We must put all speculation aside and, with childlike willingness, accept all that God presents to us. What God arranges for us to experience at each moment is the best and holiest thing that could happen to us. (J. de la Caussade, Abandonment to Divine Providence)
* To be good and humble it is necessary to be in the right position before God, before our neighbor, and before ourselves.
Before God, the right position is that of Abraham, who said: “I am only dust and ashes before you, O Lord!” We must feel small before God.
When I say, “Lord, I believe,” I am not ashamed to feel like a child before his mother; I believe in the Lord, in what He has revealed to me. The commandments are at times a little difficult to observe; but God gave them to us not to satisfy a whim, not in His own interest, but solely in our interest. We must be humble and fulfil them.
Once a man went to buy a car from the dealer. The latter talked to him plainly: “Look here, it’s a good car; mind that you treat it well; premium gas in the tank, and oil of good quality for the engine.”
But the buyer replied: “Oh, no, for your information, I can’t stand the smell of gasoline, or oil; I’ll put champagne, which I like so much, in the tank and I’ll oil the engine with jam.” “Do what you like; but don’t come and complain if you end up junking the car in a ditch!”
The Lord did something similar with us: He gave us this body, animated by an intelligent soul and a good will. God said, “this machine is a good one, but treat it well...” The commandments are for us what gasoline and oil for a car. If we are humble and observe the commandments, we will be better off, and so would the world. (John Paul I, General Audience, September 6, 1978)
Divinization in the Good Sense: Becoming God-like
Humility is the basis of divinization (in the proper sense of the word): “A man becomes God,” writes St Clement of Alexandria, “because he loves whatever God loves.”#4 This divinization prevents us from falling into discouragement upon seeing our miseries, and allows us to begin again with the clear awareness of being children of God.
* Christian existence should develop under the “umbrella” of God’s mercy. Ever mindful of that, the Christian should strive to behave as a child of God.
I am talking about the interior life of ordinary Christians who habitually find themselves in the hubbub of the city, in the light of day, in the street, at work, with their families or simply relaxing; they are centered on Jesus all day long. And what is this except a life of continuous prayer?
Isn’t it true that you have seen the need to become a soul of prayer, to reach intimacy with God that leads to divinization? (J. Escrivá, Christ Is Passing By, 8)
* Together with humility, the realization of the greatness of man’s dignity –and the overwhelming fact that, by grace, we are made children of God– forms a single attitude. It is not our own forces that save us and give us life; it is the grace of God. This is a truth that can never be forgotten. If it were, the divinization of our life would be perverted and would become presumption, pride. And this would lead, sooner or later, to a breakdown of spiritual life, when the soul came face to face with its own weakness and wretchedness. (J. Escrivá, Christ Is Passing By, 133)
* Shall I dare to say, “I am holy?”
If I mean by “holy” that I bring holiness and that I need no one to make me holy, I would be a liar and full of pride.
But if by “holy” I understand one who is made holy, as we read in Leviticus, “You will be holy, because I, God, am holy,” then the whole Body of Christ, down to the last man living at the ends of the earth, may dare say, together with its Head and under Him, “I am holy.” (St Augustine, Enarrationes in Psalmos, 85,4 PL 37,1084)
* “Father,” said that big fellow, a good student at the Central#5 –I wonder what has become of him– “I was thinking of what you told me, that I’m a son of God!, and I found myself walking along the street, head up, chin out, and a feeling of pride inside –a son of God!”
With sure conscience I advised him to foster that “pride.” (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 274)
* Give in? Be just commonplace? You, a sheep‑like follower? You were born to be a leader!
Among us there is no place for the lukewarm. Humble yourself and Christ will kindle in you again the fire of Love. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 16)
* Dark clouds cover the sky of your life; you don’t feel like doing anything; then there is nothing to which you look forward. A heavy downpour of sadness fell, and you experienced a strong sensation of being hemmed in. And, to crown it all, discouragement set in, which grew out of a more or less objective fact; you have been struggling for so many years, and you are still so far behind, so far.
All this is necessary, and God is using these means; to attain gaudium cum pace, true peace and joy, we have to combine the realization of our personal weakness with the conviction of our divine filiation, which fills us with optimism. (J. Escrivá, Furrow, n. 78)
* When we’re working for God, we have to have a superiority complex –I told you.
But isn’t that a sign of pride? you asked me. No. It is a consequence of humility; the humility that makes me say, “Lord, you are who you are. I am nothingness itself. You have all the perfections: power, strength, love, glory, wisdom, authority, dignity.... If I unite myself to you, like a child who goes to the strong embrace of his father or sits on his dear mother’s knee, I will feel the warmth of your divinity, I will experience the light of your wisdom, I will sense your strength running through my veins.” (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 342)
* If you feel, for whatever reason, that you cannot manage to go on, abandon yourself to God, telling him, “Lord, I trust in you, I abandon myself in you, but do help me in my weakness!”
And filled with confidence, repeat, “See, Jesus, what a filthy rag I am. My life seems to me so miserable. I am not worthy to be a son of yours.” Tell him all this...; and tell him so over and over again.
It will not be long before you hear him say, Ne timeas!, do not be afraid; and also, Surge et ambula!, rise up and walk! (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 287)
Without God, Nothing
* Depend on Jesus for everything. You have nothing, are worth nothing, are capable of nothing. He will act, if you abandon yourself to him. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 731)
* No one can reach sanctity except through genuine humility.
Each one must show this humility, first toward his brothers, but also toward God. You aspire to sanctity and run toward it; be convinced then, if God does not protect and help you at every instant, you will not possibly reach this goal. (Cassian, Institutions, 12, 23)
* A Christian always triumphs when he begins from the Cross, from his self‑renunciation, because he allows God’s omnipotence to act. (J. Escrivá, Furrow, n. 995)
* Our reason and other faculties are worthwhile only when they are used as instruments of God’s activity.
God’s action is boundless in its scope and power, but it can only fill our soul if we empty it of all false confidence in our own ability. This false confidence can hinder the activity of God within us.
If it pleases him, God can change all obstacles into aids for our spiritual progress. (J. de la Caussade, Abandonment to Divine Providence)
* Without God, all that remains of man’s greatness is that little pile of dust, in a dish, at one side of the altar, on Ash Wednesday. It is what the Church marks us with –as though with our own substance– on our forehead. (J. Leclerq, A Year with the Liturgy)
* Humility endows us with dignity; it inspires us with boldness, enterprise, and courage in the service of God. Not being afraid to face the confusion and humiliation that accompany failure, we are always ready to undertake great enterprises for God’s glory. To attempt these enterprises while relying on our own powers alone would be the height of folly; to undertake them with confidence in the power of God is to exercise faith.
By ignoring our ego and placing ourselves entirely under the influence of what is divine, we become good instruments in the hands of the Holy Spirit for effecting his plans in ourselves, in others, and in the world. The more a man subjects himself to God, the more efficient he becomes.#6
* Cast away that despair produced by the realization of your misery. It’s true; financially you are a zero, and socially another zero, and another in virtues, and another in talent....
But to the left of these zeroes is Christ.... And what an immeasurable figure it turns out to be! (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 473)
* When you want to do things well, really well, it’s then you do them worse. Humble yourself before Jesus, saying to him, “Don’t you see how I do everything wrong? Well, if you don’t help me very much, I’ll do it all even worse!
“Have compassion on your child; you see, I want to write a great page each day in the book of my life. But I’m so clumsy that if the Master doesn’t guide my hand, instead of graceful strokes, my pen leaves behind blots and scratches that can’t be shown to anyone.
“From now on, Jesus, the writing will always be done by both of us together.” (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 882)
* It was because of pride –you thought you were already capable of everything, all by yourself.
He left you for a moment, and you fell –headlong.
Be humble, and his extraordinary aid will not fail you. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 611)
* They said: “It is madness to trust in God...!”
And is it not greater madness to trust in oneself, or in other men? (J. Escrivá, Furrow, n. 44)
* Why feel hurt by the unjust things people say of you? You would be even worse, if God ever left you.
Keep on doing good, and shrug your shoulders. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 45)
* You realize you are weak. And so, indeed, you are. In spite of all that –rather, because of it– God has sought you.
He always uses inadequate instruments so that the “work” may be seen to be his.
From you he asks only docility. (J. Escrivá, The Way, n. 475)
* Although you say you follow him, in one way or another you always make sure that it is you who do things, according to your plans, relying on your strength alone. But the Lord said: Sine me nihil! –Without me you can do nothing. (J. Escrivá, Furrow, n. 697)
Magnanimity: Striving Higher
* Some ask if magnanimity –having a valiant spirit– is compatible with humility.
Only a false humility shrinks the spirit and quenches the great desires that the Lord wants us to harbor. Genuine humility is always crowned with magnanimity, daring to strive higher.
Humility shows itself in Jesus’ coming to serve, not to be served. And magnanimity shows itself in the Lord’ coming to save all and each man; he gave his life as a ransom for all (cf. Mt 20:28).
Mary, Mother of God and our mother, is humble and magnanimous. While she declares to be the “little slave girl of the Lord,” she acknowledges that all generations shall call her “blessed” for all the great things that the Mighty One did in her. Mary will convince us that “nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37).
Our humility is that of the donkey in the streets of Jerusalem carrying Christ, without deserving it. The donkey is not an exceptional mount itself, yet it must admit that God is riding on its saddle.
If ever humility makes us feel clumsy and powerless to accomplish a noble act, magnanimity will make us feel all powerful, like St Paul shouting that he can do all things in Jesus.
Humility has its foundations in the honest appraisal of our own worth. Reverence toward God and a right attitude toward neighbor both sprout from humility. With the logic of the saints, the humble makes use of all the talents received from the Lord; trusting in him, he puts himself at the service of all men, with the eagerness to reach higher goals. (J. Urteaga, Ahora Comienzo!)
* You told me, in confidence, that in your prayer you would open your heart to God with these words: “I think of my wretchedness, which seems to be increasing despite the graces you send me. It must be due to my lack of correspondence. I acknowledge my lack of preparation for the enterprise you are asking of me. By contrast, I read in the newspapers of so very many highly qualified and respected men, with formidable talents, and no lack of financial resources, speaking, writing, organizing in defense of your kingdom...
“I look at myself, and see that I’m a nobody –ignorant, poor– so little; this would fill me with shame if I did not know that you want me to be so. But Lord Jesus, you know that I gladly put my ambition at your feet....
“In Faith and Love, to be loving, believing, suffering; in these things I do want to be rich and learned; but no more rich nor learned than you –in your limitless Mercy– have wanted me to be. I desire to invest all my prestige and honor into fulfilling your most just and lovable Will.”
I then advised you: Don’t leave this merely as a wishful thinking. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 822)
* Work with humility. I mean, count first on God’s blessings, which will not fail you; then, on your good desires, on the plans you have for working –and on your difficulties! Do not forget that you must always include among those difficulties your own lack of holiness.
You will be a good instrument if every day you struggle to be better. (J. Escrivá, The Forge, n. 821)
FOOTNOTES:
1. St Thomas of Aquinas, S.Th., II-IIae, q.162, a. 6.
2. St Ambrose, De Exposit. In Ps. 118
3. John Paul II, Speech in Massabielle, Lourdes, 14-VIII-1983.
4. Paedagogus, 3, I, I, 5, PG 8,556.
5. The Central: This is how the Complutense University of Madrid was called at the time The Way was written.
6. Cf. E. Leen, In the Likeness of Christ, 2, 2.