If you would like to learn more about the virtue of humility, the shortcut to holiness, happiness and
peace of soul then read on. Specifically in this article I will be discussing an essential virtue needed
to gain entrance into the kingdom of Heaven
After you're finished with this article you will have a deeper understanding of this wonderful virtue.
But first a word of warning, the more you practice this shortcut the more holy, happy and
loving you will be. Your life will never be the same again! You will also obtain an eternal
glory far outweighing anything you may 'lose' or suffer from letting go of your ego.
The key to understanding this virtue is simple; 'before there can be glory, there must be
humility' (Prov 15:33 ).
Just as at least a touch of pride is necessary for every sin, so too at least a touch of humility
is necessary for any act of love and service.
I am sure you will agree that a proud person who takes the credit for everything they have or do or
even worse, takes the credit for what they imagine they have or do, is as welcome and loved
as a skunk at a lawn party.
By contrast, a humble person is always liked, loved and welcome. People feel 'safe' and secure
around humble people who are loving and are not trying to prove how superior they are or
who are looking down their very long noses at all the lesser mortals they are gracing with their
who are looking down their very long noses at all the lesser mortals they are gracing with their
presence. The very proud are a very sorry sight and are usually completely in the dark as to their
behaviour, but God sees all.
behaviour, but God sees all.
By contrast, the hearts of the humble are full of acceptance and peace, they love others almost
without effort, it comes naturally to them to accept others and offer them unconditional love (no strings
or self interest attached). This ability to accept others makes the humble person a welcome guest in
or self interest attached). This ability to accept others makes the humble person a welcome guest in
people's hearts and none more so than in God's heart.
Through humility we are in fact imitating God who came to earth to live and die for love of us.
Jesus, God's eternal word made flesh became a humble baby and lived a humble hidden life,
facing persecution and death.
The more we can imitate this humility of Jesus the holier we become.
Through humility we are in fact imitating God who came to earth to live and die for love of us.
Jesus, God's eternal word made flesh became a humble baby and lived a humble hidden life,
facing persecution and death.
The more we can imitate this humility of Jesus the holier we become.
The more we love, the more we do God's will on earth and God's Kingdom can come on earth
through us and our lives.
One day when asked what virtue was the most essential one to practice for holiness, St Jean Marie Vianney, answered; 'humility, humility, humility'. His words still ring true today.
So important is the imitation of Jesus in this virtue that Scipture tells us Jesus asked us for one thing. It was to, 'learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart ' The reward of such humility Jesus assured us would be the precious 'rest for your souls'(Mt 11:29) which we are seeking often fruitlessly.
It is really only by the grace of God that we can be humble as human nature is naturally proud and also prone to sin as a consequence of the weakness left in us by original sin and our own past sins. We need to ask God for the grace to be humble, as Jesus was, every day.
Jesus warned us in the Gospels that we can do nothing without him, 'I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty, for cut off from me you can do nothing' (Jn 15:5).
Jesus warned us in the Gospels that we can do nothing without him, 'I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty, for cut off from me you can do nothing' (Jn 15:5).
Therefore, without Jesus and the grace he grants us through the Holy Spirit to be humble, we simply cannot keep it up.
Knowing and believing that we can do nothing without Christ is itself an essential element of true humility. Humility is simply knowing and living in our dependancy as creatures of God our Creator, understanding that we need God for every moment for our existence just as we needed him for our creation.
Humility also consists in being grateful to God for all his blessings and striving to be satisfied with God's will in our lives. The words of Robert Louis Stevenson spring to mind "The person who has stopped being thankful has fallen asleep in life," on the path of humility snoozing is always a backward step!
In a nutshell, humility is simply the shortcut to holiness and its blessed reward which is peace, a peace 'beyond understanding' even here on earth! The peace of the Prince of peace.
