Shared Sacredness of Tradition: Humility

Dabasendiziwin, (Humility) To recognise and acknowledge that there is a higher power than man known as the Creator is to be deemed truly humble. To express deference or submission to the Creator through the acceptance that all beings are equal is to capture the spirit of humility. The expression of this humility is manifested through the consideration of others before ourselves. The Wolf became the teacher of this lesson. He bows his head in the presence of others out of deference, and after hunting, will not partake of the food until it can be shared with the pack. His lack of arrogance and respect for his community is a hard lesson, but integral in the Indigenous way.

As followers of Christ, our ultimate example of humility comes from Jesus and his sacrifice for us all on the cross. God’s love for us is shown in how He put our need for reconciliation to Him and need for salvation first by giving us His only begotten Son. Saint Paul instructs us in his letter to the Philipians, “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name…” (Philipians 2:5-9)

Humility in the Bible is presented as the practice of meekness, obedience to God, respect of self and others, and modesty.  To be humble is to put others' needs before our own, willing the best for the other, sacrificing our needs, feelings, time and talent for the love of others. To be humble is to have gratitude for all the Lord has blessed us with and share blessings with others. 

Saint Paul admonishes us, As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and…forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you…clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15)

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A prayer for living humbly and willing the best for others each day,

Creator God, we thank You for the example of true humility that is seen in the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who despite being God incarnate, lived His life in humble submission to You, learning to be obedient by the things that He suffered. We thank you for examples of humility we see in the lives of the Saints such as Saint Kateri Tekakwitha.

Thank You that in union with Christ we have the mind of Christ, as we also submit to the leading and guiding of your great Creator spirit. 

Help us to develop the beautiful spiritual fruit of humility that is so important in the lives of all Your children, if we are to grow in grace and to mature into a deeper knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus.

Help us not to do anything out of selfish ambition or vanity, but rather may we develop the godly grace to regard the needs and desires of others as being more important than our own. Teach us to pray, to live as Christ lived, through the Holy Spirit and to Your praise and glory.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us! Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk, pray for us!