Novena Day 3: Humility

Novena Day 3:

Humility

Humility comes from a Latin word “Humus” which means “ground”.

It means being grounded in our truth. Humility grounds us in an honest self-knowledge and an empowering self-acceptance without which we cannot grow towards who we can become.

But we live in a very complex world where our sense of who we are becomes shaky. Our identities remain fluid, stretched here and there by competing values of who we should be. The self is glorified, and it is built on unrealistic ideals of success or fame or beauty. We have lost our grounding. So there is a deep cry now in the world for authenticity. But we must remember that authenticity is only possible with humility. To be humble means to be honest, self-aware and accepting of both the lights and shadows in ourselves. Our self-knowledge orients our attitudes and actions to the more of who we can become.

Reflection:

Angela Merkel, the former and first female chancellor of Germany who served the country since 2005 received a standing ovation of more than six minutes as Germany bid farewell. Her leadership was impressive and effective; her choice of lifestyle and personal values were even more inspiring or “Christian” some may say.

Read https://island.lk/germany-bids-farewell-to-angela-merkel/

While not all of us are called to corporate/national leadership, we can certainly exercise personal leadership. The pandemic has become a test of our character and values. We are in no shortage of global / local news, and we are challenged: how have I lived differently? How have I grown more aware of others’ needs? In greater solidarity with my community, action-oriented towards the poor and needy? Re-prioritising my values and needs? Or are we cowering in fear, insecurities, impatience, and turned inwards to self-preservation?

Let us draw strength from St. Thérèse – she who accustomed herself to going to our Lord, asking not to remove her suffering but to see the lessons of the “trials of contradiction, humiliation and suffering.”