Humility is that moral virtue which disposes us to appreciate and acknowledge our true position with respect to God and our fellowmen. Jesus Christ often praised and recommended humility. "Unless you turn, and become like little children, you will not enter into the kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 18:3). He always answered the prayers of the humble, as of the centurion (cf. Matthew 8:11). "If any man wishes to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all" (Mark 9:43).

    The humble man acknowledges God as the source of all the excellent things he may possess. He recognizes his limitations, his own nothingness, and the uselessness of all earthly things without God. Compared to God, what are we? All things pass away; only God is eternal. These simple truths will help us keep humble; without God we are nothing. Let us practice the behest of Our Lord. "Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart" (Matthew 11:29).

    The humble man knows that earthly things are of value only if they lead us to God. His detachment from all things worldly frees him from all human fear. In order to become humble, let us think often of the majesty and grandeur of God. Let us contemplate His works, beside which ours would be nothing. Above all let us remember that without God we would not even exist. Do we feel proud of our wealth? Tomorrow a fire, a business depression, may wipe it off completely. Are we proud of our appearance? An accident, some sickness, would make it as if it had never been. Are we proud of our intelligence? Amnesia would take it all away.

    The humble man has his best model in the Son of God Himself, Jesus Christ, Who humbled Himself out of love for men. "Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart" (Matthew 11:29). The Son of God humbled Himself when He came down to earth as man. He came as a poor man, in the eyes of the world the son of a carpenter. His companions were simple fishermen. He associated with the humble, with sinners even. At the Last Supper He washed the feet of His apostles. He was put to death on the cross, the manner of death then most despised.

    Our Lord continually urged us to humility; as when He said, "He who is greatest among you shall be your servant" (Matthew 23:11). In the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, Christ exalted humility; as also He did when, taking a little child, He said, "whoever, therefore, humbles himself as this little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 18:4). And again He said, after preaching to His disciples, "When you have done everything that was commanded you, say: 'We are unprofitable servants' " (Luke 17:10).

    Humility is opposed both to pride and to excessive and affected self-abjection. To be humble, a man does not need to belittle his abilities. St. Thomas Aquinas says: That a person should recognize and appreciate his own good qualities is not sin."

    Liberality is that moral virtue, related to the cardinal virtue of justice, which finds expression in generosity towards our fellowmen, disposing us to use material goods rightly. Ordinarily the term is taken with reference to material goods; but in a broader sense it also is with respect to spiritual and intellectual gifts. Liberality consists in giving, for the love of God, generous help to those in need. Our Lord said, in urging us to do works of mercy, that what is given to the poor is given to Him. Liberality does not depend on the amount given, but in the spirit. A poor man can be very liberal; whereas a rich man who gives millions, but does so only in order to get praised does not have the virtue of generosity.

    Liberality is opposed to covetousness. With liberality we become willing for the love of God to help out those in material need. This virtue does not depend on the amount or material value of the gift, but in the goodness of the heart with which it is given.

Wednesday: Moral Virtues part four

June 19-20, 2000
volume 11, no. 110
APPRECIATION OF THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF OUR FAITH series

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