It's Hard to be Humble



The homily yesterday was about humility.  Webster's Dictionary defines humility as "absence of pride or self-assertion".  During the homily, one thing that Father said was, "Humility is not thinking less of ourselves; it's thinking of ourselves less."  That got me thinking about how I really try to be humble, but my pride gets in the way.   
The Gospel was Luke 14:1,7-14, when Jesus told a parable about where to sit when you are invited to a celebration.  Can you imagine thinking that you are so important that you should sit at the head of the table (or near the head), then the embarrassment of having the host ask you to move because someone who is considered more important was to sit in that spot?  Talk about just wanting to 'up and die'!  Within the reading there are the verses:  
"For every one who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”  

Isn't that the truth?  How many times have I come in on my high horse, just to be knocked down?  Then again, how many times have I done something that other people have taken credit for, and how hard is it for me to just sit there and not say something?  Is there any way to try to get credit for something without coming off like a total jerk?  I guess another way to say it is, "What goes around, comes around."


Father also tied in the first Beatitude with humility:  Blessed are the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of heaven. If you aren't familiar with the Beatitudes, you can find them here or you can find them at Matthew 5: 3-12.  In fact, the site referenced explains the first beatitude as this: 

"Poor in spirit" means to be humble. Humility is the realization that all your gifts and blessings come from the grace of God. To have poverty of spirit means to be completely empty and open to the Word of God. When we are an empty cup and devoid of pride, we are humble. Humility brings an openness and an inner peace, allowing one to do the will of God. 

Definitely something that I need to think about and work on!

8 comments:

  1. That is funny. Frank preached about humbleness yesterday too...and I sang Oh Lord It's Hard to be Humble all afternoon. Hummmm...like minds.

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  2. Great post Mary, something good to think about.
    Love this video, my Dad used to sing this song all the time.

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  3. Beautifully and skillfull said.

    Haupi

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  4. I loved the readings yesterday!!!!

    Fr. Corapi says that when someone "steal your thunder, be humble and know that you have stole someone else's thunder before." Okay. Not an EXACT quote but the message was the same.

    I love Fr. Corapi. He gives me the kick in the keister when I need it!

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  5. "Humility is not thinking less of ourselves; it's thinking of ourselves less." ~ I like that!

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  6. And some of the most difficult people to deal with are those who are downright proud of their humility!

    I think in God's original design, we would be humble. But because of the Fall, we have to fight to be humble. It isn't easy and it often isn't very pretty!

    Thank you for the reminder!

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  7. What a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing it with us.

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  8. a great post. we should always try to do for someone with the intent of good rather than to make a name for ourselves.

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