Mirrors or windows?
In our world that extols self-empowerment and self-assertion, many people consider humility as a quaint, cultural relic synonymous with a sickening lack of personal presence. They see it as a characteristic of people who lack vitality and a zest for life.
Admittedly, humility is a virtue easily misunderstood. Humble persons are often unaware that they have it, while the proud invent ways to conceal their lack of it. Many forms of false humility abound in today's society.
For instance, many of us think humility means downplaying one's talents and abilities, shying away from attention or praise, or refusing to express one's viewpoints to avoid offending others. Being humble means responding to praise with statements like, "Oh, I was just lucky" or "I'm not that good." However, such a self-deprecating attitude may not be a sign of humility. It may just be a clever bait attached to a hook, intended to elicit more praise and reassurances.
We may also be misled into thinking that those who present themselves as "victims of circumstances" are humble. But there are many arrogant individuals who exploit victimhood as a shield to justify their actions. You may have noticed that even heartless and unrepentant criminals sometimes tell reporters: "I am just a victim here. I did what I did because I was an abused child." Using victimhood to rationalize wrongdoing is not an expression of humility.
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus identifies another example of false humility. He reproaches the scribes and Pharisees who use their selfrighteousness to mask their pride. They claim to be more virtuous and morally superior to others, demanding respect and honorific titles from the public. Jesus doesn't hold back in exposing their pride when he says:
"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses's seat. Everything they do is done for people to see. They love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called 'Rabbi' by others" (Matthew 23:1, 5-6).
Jesus refers to the Pharisees as hypocrites because they feign faithfulness and humility while being consumed by pride and entitlement. Their inflated egos prevent them from heeding Jesus, as they view His words as an affront to their self-esteem. Pretense has become second nature to them, so they not only deceive others but have also mastered the art of self-deception.
St. Thomas Aquinas taught that humility is synonymous with truth. Humility originates from the Latin word "humus," meaning "ground."
A humble person is in touch with the ground of his being. He accepts himself for who he is. His self-understanding is not based on illusions, but on reality. He recognizes and admits that he is not perfect, but this cultivates in him a sense of empathy and compassion for others whom he knows are similarly situated. He is willing to learn from others, open to different perspectives and show a genuine sense of gratitude to God for whatever blessings he has received.
Humility is not just accepting oneself, but also doing what is necessary to become what one can be. Self-understanding leads to self-improvement. A humble person knows that he has flaws and limitations. But he is also grateful for his God-given talents and abilities that he can use towards self-fulfillment.
A compelling illustration of the difference between pride and humility is as follows: The proud are obsessed with mirrors, while the humble prefer windows. Pride, like mirrors, restricts our vision, turns us inward, and tempts us to self-deception, rationalization, and delusion. Humility, on the other hand, broadens our perspective. It is like looking through a window, enabling us to see beyond ourselves and fostering genuine connections with others and with God.
This is perhaps what Jesus meant when he said, "Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12).
The proud are obsessed with mirrors, while the humble prefer windows. Pride, like mirrors, restricts our vision, turns us inward, and tempts us to self-deception, rationalization, and delusion. Humility, on the other hand, broadens our perspective.