I have long struggled with the virtue of humility. My ego seems to always take precedence. I get angered, seek to strike back, etc. I guess in a way I have sen humility as weakness. NOw that I am in a position of some leadership as an adminsitrator, how do you balance humility with leadership? Indeed, how do I cultivate humility? What is true humility anyway?
John
John, a prayer that is often recommended here is the Litany of Humility, written by the late Rafael Cardinal Merry del Valle:
**O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved…
From the desire of being extolled …
From the desire of being honored …
From the desire of being praised …
From the desire of being preferred to others…
From the desire of being consulted …
From the desire of being approved …
From the fear of being humiliated …
From the fear of being despised…
From the fear of suffering rebukes …
From the fear of being calumniated …
From the fear of being forgotten …
From the fear of being ridiculed …
From the fear of being wronged …
From the fear of being suspected …
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I …
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease …
That others may be chosen and I set aside …
That others may be praised and I unnoticed …
That others may be preferred to me in everything…
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…**
Humility is living in Truth, recognizing the reality of our creaturehood and knowing that all we have received is a gift. This knowledge gives rise to a heart filled in gratitude. Besides, of course, Our Lord, a great model for humility and of leadership is St. Teresa of Jesus, who reached the heights of intimacy with the Most Blessed Trinity while founding throughout Spain monasteries for the glory of God. She was able to combine the natural gifts of intelligence, charm and beauty that were bestowed on her with the spiritual gifts she received to bring this about because she knew her needfulness for God to give her the strength and the wisdom to do His will, most especially His will in her own soul.
It is certain that the love of God does not consist in experiencing sweetness or tenderness of heart but in truly serving God in Justice, strength and humilty. St. Teresa of Jesus.
