MEEK AND LOWLY OF HEART

JESUS, MEEK AND LOWLY OF HEART

                                                                                                             

True humility
A key characteristic of the humble is their self-forgetfulness. They are typically selfless, not self-centred. They are not fearful about what others might think of them, or pre-occupied with concern for themselves. The truly humble have a balanced, accurate view of themselves, and good understanding of their personal strengths and weaknesses, and of their role and position in the wider community and society.

The humble are self-giving and self-sacrificing for the sake of others in order to encourage and serve them. They are other-focused, mindful of others’ interests and concerns, and ready to put aside personal preferences to serve others. 

The “lowly of heart,” as Jesus describes himself, treat others with respect and concern, regardless of the others’ status, low or high. They avoid playing favourites. They are servant-hearted – ready to serve others wholly for the others’ good, without seeking personal gain.

The humble are receptive to learning and improving, and to receiving correction, training, and feedback.

 

Prudent, teachable, and meek
The companion virtues of humility are prudence (moral wisdom), docility (teachableness), and meekness (strength under control, not driven or blinded by anger). 

Prudence is moral wisdom – the ability to handle the situations of life in a morally good way, understanding how to act based on moral truth. Docility is related to the words “doctor” and “doctrine.” A doctor in an older sense meant someone who taught doctrine. We still use the term today as a title for qualified professors who teach law, science, philosophy, and other fields of learning. Humility is related to prudence because it allows us to acquire knowledge and practical wisdom from another. The mark of a docile person is his or her willingness to be taught. Docility is rooted in humility and meekness. “Receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). 

Docility is an attitude of the mind and heart that wants to learn, to receive correction and direction. The virtue of docility (teachableness) enables the mind to be teachable and receptive to the wisdom and direction of Christ’s will for our lives.

Meekness is not weakness or timidity – it is moral strength under control. A meek person knows how to moderate anger – being angry at the right time, in the right measure, for the right cause, and restraining one’s anger when exercising it would be wrong, hurtful, or unnecessary. Anger that is out of control and not ruled by what is just and prudent blinds us to good moral judgment and leads to rash and hurtful behaviour. That is why meekness is linked with humility, placing us in the right disposition to receive God’s help and wisdom. 

Prepared to do great deeds
The virtue of humility enables us to view and judge ourselves correctly. Viewing ourselves truthfully, with sober judgment, means seeing ourselves the way God sees us (Psalm 139:1-4). A humble person makes a realistic assessment of himself or herself without the illusion or pretence of being something he or she is not. The humble regard themselves neither smaller nor larger than they truly are. True humility frees us to be our true.              A humble person does not have to wear a mask or put on a facade in order to look good to others. The humble are not swayed by fame or fortune, failure or loss.

Humility leads to true self-knowledge, honesty, and realism, and it frees us to give ourselves to something greater than ourselves. Humility frees us to love and serve others for their sake, rather than our own. The Apostle Paul gives us the  greatest example of humility in the person of Jesus Christ, who “emptied himself, taking the form of a servant ...who humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:7-8).