brotherSEPH's HOLY WEEK REFLECTION FOR HOLY MONDAY: "HUMILITY Towards Others"

"...in HUMILITY value others above yourselves."

We Filipinos have a curious understanding of HUMILITY, especially when it is about accepting good things about ourselves. When someone hears a compliment like “Wow, ang galing mo naman kanina,” it is often met with a defensive “Hindi naman…” or maybe even an apologetic “Wala yun, mas magaling pa yung iba sa akin,” because humility or “pagpapakumbaba” is about focusing attention away from oneself. On the other hand, when anyone openly talks about his or her gifts and talents with others, it is often seen as “mayabang” or “may hangin sa utak” – it is far more pleasant and “mapagkumbaba” to avoid talking about oneself in the first place.

In short, for us Filipinos, it’s easy to see that HUMILITY is the same as refusing compliments, or shying away from the good things we realize about ourselves – unfortunately, maybe even a daily habit of self-deprecation for some. The unusual thing is many Filipinos do it so as not to lose face with others, “kasi nakakahiya, baka iba na ang tingin nila sa akin.” What’s so humble about that? How, then, should HUMILITY be understood?

When Jesus says, “The one who humbles himself will be exalted,” He does not mean refusing to talk about the good things about ourselves. Jesus’s parable is not a negative apology about the tax collector’s sins, but a positive note on God’s mercy. When the tax collector looks down, recognizes his sinfulness and says, “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” it is him saying “Thank you, Lord, for being merciful to me” as much as it is a heartfelt “Sorry, Lord, for I have sinned against you.” He comes before the Lord not to reply to the Pharisee’s remarks and play victim, but simply because he is sick of being a horrible person, and he trusts that God will change him – and God does!

HUMILITY, therefore, is accepting everything within and outside ourselves as is, not as what we want it to be. It is a virtue, a call to balance and self-growth – not one of self-deprecation or meeting expectations. At the end of it all, humility is realizing that we are all children of God – that we have a Father in Heaven who showers everyone with loving and forgiving grace all the days of our lives. Because of that, we say but one humble word to celebrate:

“Salamat!”

PRAYER: 

May this Holy Week be full of HUMILITY, openness, and gratitude for God’s grace every day of our lives. AMEN.