Humility

“No man, has ever seen God; but now his only‑begotten Son, who abides in the bosom of the Father, has himself revealed him.” (John 1:18).

Adoration of the Magi (Gentile de Fabriano)

In “Friends of God, at 111, Saint Josemaria wrote, “‘No man, has ever seen God; but now his only‑begotten Son, who abides in the bosom of the Father, has himself revealed him’ (John 1:18), appearing to the astonished gaze of men: first, as a new-born babe, in Bethlehem; then, as a child just like other children; later on, in the Temple, as a bright and alert 12-year old; and finally in the lovable and attractive image of the Teacher who stirred the hearts of the enthusiastic crowds that accompanied him.”

And I have been reflecting on that humility.  You see, whenever I start doing something new and something for the first time – even at my age – I am terribly uncomfortable.  I need to first learn how to do the thing and then make sure that I can repeatedly do the thing.  People around me assume that I am incapable of doing the thing – at least at first – though later, after a lot of “blood, sweat and tears” (so to speak) I usually manage to prove myself to others and they will trust in my ability to be able to complete the task at hand.

And I do not think badly of people who think that I am incapable of the new task when I first take it up because it is only natural because I myself have doubts when I start a new task… 

Whenever I decide that I am going to try my hand at something new, the first thought that I have is that my goal is a large one and I am going to need some time to bring it to fruition.  And my second thought is that this is going to be bumpy, because in order for me to learn the new skill – whatever it may be – I am going to have to make a lot of mistakes.

And I have been thinking about the necessary steps involved in Christ’s humiliation as the Son of God.  Well, firstly, He was conceived in the womb of His creature – now, the Blessed Virgin is His most perfect Creature – but He still humbled Himself to become completely reliant on a being that He Himself created.  Then, He humbled Himself further, to be born in a stable and laid in a manger.  Then, He humbled Himself further to be a Child who needed to learn to eat and drink and use a bathroom and read and write.  Then, He humbled Himself even further to become a migrant out of Bethlehem to Egypt and Nazareth.  Then He humbled Himself even further to be a craftsman and not a great secular leader.  Then He humbled Himself even further to become a poor wandering teacher.  Then, He humbled Himself even further to die as a common criminal on a Cross – naked and alone with no witness to speak for Him.

And He did all of that because He is God who so loved the world that there was literally NOTHING in the world, He would not do for love of a miserable soul like mine…

And so, when the world around Him doubted Him and assumed that He knew nothing and could make mistakes, even then He said nothing and waited with humility, bearing every form of disrespect with perfect humility because that is how much He loves me…

And I have been thinking about that, as I start new things, for I have so much pride – so much terrible pride…

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.