“Oh Lord It’s Hard To Be Humble”

In 1980, country music singer Mac Davis composed a light-hearted song about how vanity and popularity can go to one’s head.  The refrain is probably the most recognized and amusing part of the song: “Oh Lord it's hard to be humble / When you're perfect in every way. / I can't wait to look in the mirror / Cause I get better looking each day. / To know me is to love me / I must be a hell of a man. / Oh Lord it's hard to be humble / But I'm doing the best that I can.”

Although most of us are not this vain (at least we won’t admit to it :-), we all struggle with the capital sin of pride in its various manifestations: thinking we are better than others, refusing to admit when we are wrong, ambitious to get ahead, insistent on “having the last word,” and not respecting the opinions of others.  Indeed, it is hard to be humble.  The good news is that our Blessed Lord knows this.  And whether or not we want it, He will teach us the virtue of humility in one way or another.

In the gospel of today’s (Sept 1) Mass, Jesus watches how guests at a Pharisee’s home presume seats of honor (Luke 14:7-14).  Our Lord takes the opportunity (as is often the case when He observes vices) to give a parable — a parable concerning the conduct of invited guests and hosts: Guests of honor should be humble enough not to presume seats of honor; Hosts should be humble enough to invite those who do not present a social advantage.  For a challenging take on this teaching of Christ, I recommend Happy Are You Poor (Ignatius Press, 2003) by the late Fr. Dubay, S.M.

So, what is Jesus teaching about the nature of humility?  True humility is not timidity or mediocrity; it is not opposed to legitimately desire personal advancement, professional prestige and well-deserved recognition.  However, the humble person does not “show off” and knows his purpose in life is not to be praised but rather to carry out a mission for God and for others.  We might take an opportunity this Sunday to reflect on how the Lord might be asking us to practice this virtue in our particular state in life.  Do we have a puffed-up view of ourselves that needs to come down a few notches?  Do we refuse to apologize when we are clearly in the wrong?  Do we justify our own sins in order to avoid the confessional?  It is much easier to see these vices in others, but humility helps us see them in ourselves and to humbly ask for the Lord’s help in overcoming them.

It is hard to be humble, but a daily examination of conscience keeps our feet on the earth and our heart in the Lord’s hands.  God alone is perfect, and He wishes to perfect us in our weakness with His healing grace through the Cross of Christ.  [M]ay I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world (Galatians6:14).