HOLY WEEK REFLECTION for HOLY MONDAY: HUMILITY

 "In HUMILITY value others above yourselves..."

“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” 

- Luke 14:11

"Be Like the Bamboo, The Higher you Grow, The Deeper You Bow"

- Chinese Proverb

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?

The answer lies in today’s Gospel where Jesus was anointed by Mary at Bethany. 

"Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." Jesus defended Mary against Judas Iscariot who later betray Him. She never hesitate herself to assist Jesus of anointing his feet by a perfumed oil and dried them with her hair. Mary's actions signifies the true essence of being HUMBLENESS towards others.

It is a very common practice by some of our fellow men and women living in some countries within Asia like Japan, China, even the Korean continent the so-called "bowed" every time they introduce themselves or even have a greetings to their visitors. It is an act of reverence and respect on each other as citizens of their countries. 

As Gordon Hinckley says, "being HUMBLE means recognizing that we are not on Earth to see how important we can become, but to see how much difference we can make in the lives of others."

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!”

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