Cenacle Formation Manual
Humility
Humility is the virtue recognizing dependence on God, and one most pleasing to God. It is one of the ten evangelical virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On the Feast of The Immaculate Conception, Saint Faustina saw the Blessed Mother who said to her, "'I desire, my dearly beloved daughter, that you practice the three virtues that are dearest to me — and most pleasing to God. The first is humility, humility, and once again humility; the second virtue, purity; the third virtue, love of God. As my daughter, you must especially radiate with these virtues.' When the conversation ended, she pressed me to her heart and disappeared" (Diary, 1415). In contrast to a humble person, a proud person believes accomplishments are a result of his own efforts and fails to see them as a gift from God. Saint Faustina wrote "humility, humility, and ever humility, as we can do nothing of ourselves; all is purely and simply God's grace" (Diary, 55).
The Blessed Mother gave a beautiful example of humility at the Incarnation when she replied, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to Your word" (Lk 1:38). While Mary wondered how all this could be as she had no husband, she recognized God's will. She did not answer with false humility saying, "I could never do that as I am not worthy," but instead, with true humility, gave a "Yes!" for she realized that it was God's plan, and that with God all things are possible.
The humble person also avoids being judgmental, as he knows he is a sinner and everything good comes from God. Saint Faustina wrote, "I must never judge anyone, but look at others with leniency and at myself with severity. I must refer everything to God" (Diary, 253). Scripture says "Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?" (Mt 7:1-3).
How easy it is for us to always criticize and condemn others and how easily we overlook our own glaring faults. Ironically, God often uses the weakest to carry His message, as the repentant sinner recognizes his shortcomings and is more on fire for the Lord.
"During a meditation on humility, an old doubt returned: that a soul as miserable as mine could not may out the task which the Ion! was demanding [of me]. Just as I was analyzing this doubt, the priest who was conducting the retreat interrupted his train of thought and spoke about the very thing I was having doubts about; namely, that God usually chooses the weakest and simplest souls as tools for His greatest works; that we can see that this is an undeniable truth when we look at the men He chose to be His apostles; or again, when we look at the history of the Church and see what great works were done by souls that were the least capable of accomplishing them; for it is just in this way that God's works are revealed for what they are, the works of God. When my doubt had completely disappeared, the priest resumed his conference on humility" (Diary, 464).
Paul wrote, "Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord' (1 Cor 1:26-31).
The humble person is in the world but not part of it; he has detachment from worldly things and recognizes that the lasting pearl is the kingdom of God. Our Lord spoke on this to St. Faustina and said, Today, penetrate into the spirit of My poverty and arrange everything in such a way that the most destitute will have no reason to envy you. I find pleasure not in large buildings and magnificent structures, but in a pure and humble heart (Diary, 532). "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (Jas 4:6).
We are called to do all things with a humble and contrite heart. St. John the Baptist said, "He must increase but I must decrease" On 3:30). As we become more aware of our failings and shortcomings, we need only pray, "Lord I am not worthy to have You come under my roof' (Mt 8:8).
Scripture
Phil 2:3 - Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves.
Col 3:12 - Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience,
1 Peter 5:5 - Likewise you that are younger be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
Catechism of the Catholic Faith
525 - Jesus was born in a humble stable, into a poor family. Simple shepherds were the first witnesses to this event. In this poverty heaven’s glory was made manifest. The Church never tires of singing the glory of this night:
The Virgin today brings into the world the Eternal And the earth offers a cave to the Inaccessible. The angels and shepherds praise him
And the magi advance with the star,
For you are born for us,
Little Child, God eternal!
2559 - In the account of Abel’s murder by his brother Cain, Scripture reveals the presence of anger and envy in man, consequences of original sin, from the beginning of human history. Man has become the enemy of his fellowman. God declares the wickedness of this fratricide: “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.”
2631 – The first movement of the prayer of petition is asking forgiveness, like the tax collector in the parable: “God, be merciful tome a sinner!” It is a prerequisite for righteous and pure prayer. A trusting humility brings us back into the light of communion between the Father and his Son Jesus Christ and with one another, so that “we receive from him whatever we ask.” Asking forgiveness is the prerequisite for both the Eucharistic liturgy and personal prayer.