The Way of Humility

There’s no question that the cardinal Christian virtue is humility. You’ve often heard me speak of this. As pride is the cardinal passion, so is humility the cardinal virtue. Humility does not mean that we think of ourselves as less than we are, but we think of ourselves exactly as we are. We are created in the image and likeness of God, but we are also not called to think more highly of ourselves than is true. We are fallen, we are sinners, we are desperately in need of God’s grace, but we are also precious in his sight.

 

As we approach the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul this Sunday, they provide us with profound examples of humility. St. Paul, former persecutor of the early Church, laid aside all his former prideful claims as a well-educated Pharisee, “a Jew of the Jews,” and counted it all as nothing compared to the grace he had received from God in Christ. St. Peter, an outspoken, impulsive, prideful man, found humility in Christ’s forgiveness of him, even in the face of his denials.

 

Humility has often been described as “not thinking less of oneself but thinking of oneself less.” Humility is not about denying our worth, but rather about recognizing our dependence on God. It is an acknowledgment that true strength comes not from our own abilities or accomplishments, but from God’s grace. The humility of St. Peter and St. Paul offer us profound examples of humility and inspire us to follow. In their lives, we see the power of God made perfect in their weakness, and we are reminded that in our weakness, God’s power can be made manifest in us.

 

Blessings,

Fr. David

+ + +