Monthly Spiritual Message, June 2006
By Friar David M. Huebner O.F.M. Conv.
In continuity with last month’s spiritual letter concerning our ‘ongoing personal Franciscan/Christian formation’ as gift, invitation and response; I’d like to talk about the virtue of humility as the strength to surrender.
Technology has changed everything in a short span of years. At our fingertips we have credit cards, fast food restaurants, speedy means of communication, multiple choices as far as personal entertainment is concerned. Yet despite all these conveniences we feel as if we have less time on our hands. As we pursue our busy schedules, it can be quite easy for our hearts to grow lukewarm in our love for God. At times we need to stop and ponder Micah 6.8 “What does the Lord require of you?”
Depending on God? Or, Relying on Self?
Humanity has indeed achieved vast knowledge on a huge variety of topics, but we seem to know precious little about humility. We usually tend to admire those people around us who seem to be aggressive and confident, the ones we see as self-motivating go-getters. By contrast, we consider the humble to be weak-willed and indecisive. But God’s gift of humility differs greatly from such perceptions.
The self-reliant Franciscan may believe in God, but his or her faith does not transform her or his life. Humility involves daily acts of trust and neediness before God and learning to depend on God in every situation. The dependant Christian is deeply repentant and maintains a humble, submissive attitude before God Most High.
Francis in Admonition XXIII states that blessed is that person who is just as humble (unassuming) among his subjects as he or she would be among her or his superiors. Blessed the religious (that is you and I) who is always willing to be corrected. A person is a faithful and prudent servant when she or he is quick to atone for all his or her offences, interiorly by contrition and exteriorly by confessing them and making reparation.
Part of humility and ongoing conversion for us who are religious is our obligation to observe certain kinds of behaviour. In particular there is the need for correction, most especially at times when our behaviour and words testify to the fact that we rely on self, and don’t depend on God.
Spiritual Poverty is the Strength of the Humble
Francis stresses poverty as an essential aspect of Christian life, the centre from which every other aspect of Franciscan spirituality derives its power and conviction. I view Franciscan poverty precisely as the power and ability to live humbly in the eyes of God and one another.
Admonition XIV states: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. There are many people (maybe you or I) who spend all their time at prayers and other religious exercises and mortify themselves by long fasts and so on. But if anyone says so much as a word that implies a reflection on their self-esteem (that is: their high opinion of themselves) or takes something from them, they are immediately up in arms and annoyed. These people are not really poor in spirit. …”
Humility born of the Spirit produces in us a confidence in God, not in ourselves. Part of this confidence is the ability to withstand suffering, misunderstanding, and persecution that surpasses our natural resources. Humility, that true poverty of spirit, allows a God-directed person to demonstrate a stability of character and a compassionate heart that takes even the most self-confident person by surprise.
Sometimes we need to go through a desert experience (that is a hard time or even a disaster) before we become desperate or dependant enough on God to make him truly number one in our lives. Only when we make him source and origin of whom and what we are does humility truly reside in us.
Suffering as Necessary Source of Sanctification.
Many of us shrink from suffering; we see it as an evil to be avoided. This bears testimony to our self-reliance. Francis as part of Admonition XIII says: “We can never tell how patient or humble a person is when everything is going well with him (or her). But when those who should co-operate with him do the exact opposite, then we can tell. A man has as much patience and humility as he has then and no more.”
Brothers and sisters of penance, suffering proves our humility and patience. Suffering has the unique ability to prove to us whether we serve God or ourselves. No Christian can avoid suffering altogether. It’s part of God’s plan to produce in us a heart of humility and compassion. So when you do experience suffering in your life, please don’t feel as if God is far away. Take it as a sure sign that something great is happening: God is forming you into the image and likeness of Christ that he intends you to be (1 Peter 4.12-13).
Of course all of the above means nothing to someone who hasn’t the strength of humility in order to surrender to God Most High.
Daily Conversion
In the SFO formation book Pick More Daisies, chapter eight states: “united by their vocation as brothers and sisters of penance, and motivated by the dynamic power of the Gospel, let them conform their thoughts and deeds to those of Christ by means of that radical interior change which the Gospel itself calls conversion. Human frailty makes it necessary that this conversion be carried out daily. The path of humility is the gospel way.”
Some Ways to Grow in Humility (or die to self)
Do not be anxious about your life. Lay your cares at the feet of Jesus every day (Mt 6.25).
Be careful of the words that come from your mouth. Let them be pleasing to God: clear, honest, and simple Mt 5.37).
Do not judge others. Let the Holy Spirit be the one to reveal other people’s sins. Show mercy and compassion instead (Mt. 7.1-2).
Every day, ask God to help you in your needs. Knock on his door in proper prayer, and he will answer you (Mt 7.7-8).
Rejoice when people speak ill of you. You will receive a great reward in heaven (Mt 5.11). Love your enemies and pray for those who seem to be trying to persecute you (Mt 5.44).
May the business of life and diversity of choices open to you, not keep you from the one thing necessary: Christ; and the need to daily conform our lives unto him. Until we meet may the Lord grant you peace!
Friar David M. Huebner O.F.M. Conv.
National Assistant SFO – Oceania
