This is a great concept but ... Not to be "that person," but it was obviously written by a biological male.
As a biological female, I can attest to the fact that even the concept of being "humble" about myself makes me think automatically, "Oh, well; better refer to 'doormat mode.'" That attitude is what bought me a straight ticket to Hell.
I *do* actually understand what you are getting at. I *do* understand what you're saying. It's something worth internalizing, no question. However .... I've found that, in my own life, trying to articulate these "slippery ideas" (as my late partner once called them) can get one into deep semantic doo-doo.
This post....which resonates with me because of the importance of humility...brings this to mind:
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. I Corinthians 13:11
I used to take great pride in my intellect. I naturally and easily did well in school, I excelled at standardized tests, etc (actually, that held me back....I could do well with no prep, so why prep....which would have put me over the top....so I never quite made it to true bragging rights), I thought that was all me. Over time, through my life experiences, I realized - no, that was just the gift I was given, and it has nothing to do with me. And I now encourage my kids to do what I did not consistently do (in school, because I did it in work), which is put in the effort so that they can say, consistently, "I did my best." Whatever their best is. This part of my past pride is relevant to my thinking this summer because my kids are at the age where they face those standardized tests and I want them to want to do their best and prep....and I don't want them to waste their gifts, in this area or in others (though, I admit, I struggle with whether there is meaning on those earthly measures which I once put such great value....)
I also think about this in context of the poor choices I made in my youth. I hope I am more understanding now of others. Again, a conversation I will have with my children, don't fear us if you make a poor choice, come to us for help and support, your choice will not change that we love you.
And, then, I took great comfort in this verse, because I do strive (I am human, so I also daily fail) to treat everyone, no matter their struggle or challenge, with kindness and respect:
Acts 10:28 God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.
But.....all of this new-found awareness and concerted effort to be kind has really only come after a lot of personal pride and a lot of mistakes and unkindness in my past. Another way I have thought of it, the older I get, the more aware I become of the grace that God has shown in many ways.
So glad to see you back and more yourself. Another verse that came today that speaks to your last post:
You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked, who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.
Pride is so pervasive in everything we do. It's only in hindsight that we see the havoc it causes.
"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. I Corinthians 13:11"
Thank you Jennifer for the reminder. I think about this alot. I see my petulant ways, stamping my feet as if I were a child when my pride is hurt. I'm a few days into my humility month and have had to knock down my pride countless times. It's going to be a long month...
Great post. I think humility also requires empathy. Empathy is hard when one doesn't like the majority of humans (that would be me). I have been trying to be more empathetic to others actions. Trying to understand why many people do stupid/evil actions. Still coming back to demons being the main players in humanity's stupidity/evil. Could be why Jesus focused on exorcising demons from people. Humanity no longer believes in demons and exorcism.
Humanity doesn't believe in God so why would it believe in satan or demons. We are all gods now, all little deities. Pride. Humility is empathy - but for the grace of God go I. Even me typing that last sentence I felt my pride rise and say "yeah, but those people chose...." It's going to be quite a month for my ego.
I participated in various "pride month" activities in the (now distant) past, but I never thought that "pride" was a good idea, let alone the answer to anything. Looking back now at where all that pride has taken us only confirms it.
Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.
(Proverbs 16:18, very well known and heavily ignored)
In my little world, I would wear "proud to be Irish" buttons on St. Patrick's Day. Pride is everywhere and not just relegated to the month of June. I read about the history of June Pride month and the founder said he was going to call it gay "power" month but thought "pride" would be better. Yes, words matter.
I have Irish ancestors too, on both sides, immigrating in the 18th century and earlier. Maybe I'd better not mention what parts they were from, but they had good reason to go. I don't know much about them, but I guess it's good that they were able to escape. I have strong feelings about what they went through, but I don't think of it in terms of pride. They were survivors who found a better life here.
An adroit and eminently helpful redirection. Thank you Napoleon.
The nearby screeches of, "Dare to be Proud" against the background of a rainbow (chiefly red) infused hell-scape is now an ESG de rigueur means of point scoring. It sure is a tortured World.
It sure is. It's all just one more me-too freakout. In the US everyone is all up in arms about Bud Light and Target (neither of which I have ever patronized). But even that backlash is just showing pride. So much pride, so little time!
The adversary predictably copies and mocks all that is sacred. June IS humility month as the month devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Blessed First Ember Friday.
Oremus:
Most sweet Jesus, whose overflowing charity for men is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before Thee, eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries to which Thy loving Heart is everywhere subject.
Mindful, alas! that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask Thy pardon and declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation, not only for our own personal offenses, but also for the sins of those, who, straying far from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow Thee, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the promises of their baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of Thy law.
We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against Thee; we are determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behavior, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violations of Sundays and holydays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against Thee and Thy Saints.
We wish also to make amends for the insults to which Thy Vicar on earth and Thy priests are subjected; for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege of the very Sacrament of Thy Divine Love; and lastly for the public crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the Church which Thou hast founded.
Would, O Divine Jesus, that we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of Thy divine honor, the satisfaction Thou didst once make to Thine Eternal Father on the cross and which Thou continuest to renew daily on our altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of Thy Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of Thy grace, for all neglect of Thy great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past.
Henceforth, we will live a life of unwavering faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the Gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our power to prevent others from offending Thee and to bring as many as possible to follow Thee.
O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of expiation; and by the crowning gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to Thee, so that we may all one day come to that happy home, where with the Father and the Holy Ghost Thou livest and reignest, God, world without end.
Wonderful comment Dr.! Thank you for reminding me about the Sacred Heart of Jesus devotion in June. How could I have forgotten about that? You are absolutely right that satan would choose June for celebration of his prideful dark heart, in opposition to the humble heart of Jesus. I am posting your comment to Notes for a reminder for us all. Gracias!
As the article says "The invention of this humble instrument is a subject of much debate among researchers." See it is apropos for June Humility Month!
Absolutely Charlotte. Every day I've been taking time aside to list the things I am grateful for. They are all such simple things but the most important for peace. This month I am adding "I am grateful for the chance to learn humility."
With a little help from my friends! The envy and jealousy of others still haunts me every day. Just something I have to work on, along with my patience. God bless you VVV.
Thanks for reading Match! Every day is a new day to try to become a better person in some little way. I said this once to somebody who responded with "I'm not changing, I'll find someone to accept me just the way I am." I believe he said it during pride month, which for him was every month.
This is a great concept but ... Not to be "that person," but it was obviously written by a biological male.
As a biological female, I can attest to the fact that even the concept of being "humble" about myself makes me think automatically, "Oh, well; better refer to 'doormat mode.'" That attitude is what bought me a straight ticket to Hell.
I *do* actually understand what you are getting at. I *do* understand what you're saying. It's something worth internalizing, no question. However .... I've found that, in my own life, trying to articulate these "slippery ideas" (as my late partner once called them) can get one into deep semantic doo-doo.
This post....which resonates with me because of the importance of humility...brings this to mind:
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. I Corinthians 13:11
I used to take great pride in my intellect. I naturally and easily did well in school, I excelled at standardized tests, etc (actually, that held me back....I could do well with no prep, so why prep....which would have put me over the top....so I never quite made it to true bragging rights), I thought that was all me. Over time, through my life experiences, I realized - no, that was just the gift I was given, and it has nothing to do with me. And I now encourage my kids to do what I did not consistently do (in school, because I did it in work), which is put in the effort so that they can say, consistently, "I did my best." Whatever their best is. This part of my past pride is relevant to my thinking this summer because my kids are at the age where they face those standardized tests and I want them to want to do their best and prep....and I don't want them to waste their gifts, in this area or in others (though, I admit, I struggle with whether there is meaning on those earthly measures which I once put such great value....)
I also think about this in context of the poor choices I made in my youth. I hope I am more understanding now of others. Again, a conversation I will have with my children, don't fear us if you make a poor choice, come to us for help and support, your choice will not change that we love you.
And, then, I took great comfort in this verse, because I do strive (I am human, so I also daily fail) to treat everyone, no matter their struggle or challenge, with kindness and respect:
Acts 10:28 God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.
But.....all of this new-found awareness and concerted effort to be kind has really only come after a lot of personal pride and a lot of mistakes and unkindness in my past. Another way I have thought of it, the older I get, the more aware I become of the grace that God has shown in many ways.
So glad to see you back and more yourself. Another verse that came today that speaks to your last post:
You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked, who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.
Psalm 12: 7-8
Pride is so pervasive in everything we do. It's only in hindsight that we see the havoc it causes.
"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. I Corinthians 13:11"
Thank you Jennifer for the reminder. I think about this alot. I see my petulant ways, stamping my feet as if I were a child when my pride is hurt. I'm a few days into my humility month and have had to knock down my pride countless times. It's going to be a long month...
Dear Napoleon,
Just this morning read Psalm 73. Describes you--as you felt yourself 2 weeks ago--- to a T. (and how many others of us?) Love from ViaVitaVeritas.
Um--Knew something was wrong when I cannot write my own 'name'. ViaVeritasVita--because life comes only after the truth.
Great post. I think humility also requires empathy. Empathy is hard when one doesn't like the majority of humans (that would be me). I have been trying to be more empathetic to others actions. Trying to understand why many people do stupid/evil actions. Still coming back to demons being the main players in humanity's stupidity/evil. Could be why Jesus focused on exorcising demons from people. Humanity no longer believes in demons and exorcism.
And satan smiles.
Humanity doesn't believe in God so why would it believe in satan or demons. We are all gods now, all little deities. Pride. Humility is empathy - but for the grace of God go I. Even me typing that last sentence I felt my pride rise and say "yeah, but those people chose...." It's going to be quite a month for my ego.
Excellent post.
Thanks for reading John!
Thanks for writing, Napoleon. Hang in there!
I participated in various "pride month" activities in the (now distant) past, but I never thought that "pride" was a good idea, let alone the answer to anything. Looking back now at where all that pride has taken us only confirms it.
Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.
(Proverbs 16:18, very well known and heavily ignored)
In my little world, I would wear "proud to be Irish" buttons on St. Patrick's Day. Pride is everywhere and not just relegated to the month of June. I read about the history of June Pride month and the founder said he was going to call it gay "power" month but thought "pride" would be better. Yes, words matter.
I have Irish ancestors too, on both sides, immigrating in the 18th century and earlier. Maybe I'd better not mention what parts they were from, but they had good reason to go. I don't know much about them, but I guess it's good that they were able to escape. I have strong feelings about what they went through, but I don't think of it in terms of pride. They were survivors who found a better life here.
An adroit and eminently helpful redirection. Thank you Napoleon.
The nearby screeches of, "Dare to be Proud" against the background of a rainbow (chiefly red) infused hell-scape is now an ESG de rigueur means of point scoring. It sure is a tortured World.
It sure is. It's all just one more me-too freakout. In the US everyone is all up in arms about Bud Light and Target (neither of which I have ever patronized). But even that backlash is just showing pride. So much pride, so little time!
The adversary predictably copies and mocks all that is sacred. June IS humility month as the month devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Blessed First Ember Friday.
Oremus:
Most sweet Jesus, whose overflowing charity for men is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before Thee, eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries to which Thy loving Heart is everywhere subject.
Mindful, alas! that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask Thy pardon and declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation, not only for our own personal offenses, but also for the sins of those, who, straying far from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow Thee, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the promises of their baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of Thy law.
We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against Thee; we are determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behavior, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violations of Sundays and holydays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against Thee and Thy Saints.
We wish also to make amends for the insults to which Thy Vicar on earth and Thy priests are subjected; for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege of the very Sacrament of Thy Divine Love; and lastly for the public crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the Church which Thou hast founded.
Would, O Divine Jesus, that we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of Thy divine honor, the satisfaction Thou didst once make to Thine Eternal Father on the cross and which Thou continuest to renew daily on our altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of Thy Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of Thy grace, for all neglect of Thy great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past.
Henceforth, we will live a life of unwavering faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the Gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our power to prevent others from offending Thee and to bring as many as possible to follow Thee.
O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of expiation; and by the crowning gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to Thee, so that we may all one day come to that happy home, where with the Father and the Holy Ghost Thou livest and reignest, God, world without end.
Amen.
Wonderful comment Dr.! Thank you for reminding me about the Sacred Heart of Jesus devotion in June. How could I have forgotten about that? You are absolutely right that satan would choose June for celebration of his prideful dark heart, in opposition to the humble heart of Jesus. I am posting your comment to Notes for a reminder for us all. Gracias!
Yes, I agree. Let's also celebrate National Accordion Awareness Month as well! https://nationaltoday.com/national-accordion-awareness-month/
As the article says "The invention of this humble instrument is a subject of much debate among researchers." See it is apropos for June Humility Month!
Lol! At least playing the accordion is fun and doesn't hurt anyone.
LMAO!🪗
Yes, JUNE HUMILITY MONTH. What a great way to develope an attitude of gratitude for the blessings we have been given!!
Absolutely Charlotte. Every day I've been taking time aside to list the things I am grateful for. They are all such simple things but the most important for peace. This month I am adding "I am grateful for the chance to learn humility."
So happy to hear, Napoleon, that you have been able to return to the real you. May blessings abound in your life as you grow closer to God.
With a little help from my friends! The envy and jealousy of others still haunts me every day. Just something I have to work on, along with my patience. God bless you VVV.
Love this, the ability to start anew
Thanks for reading Match! Every day is a new day to try to become a better person in some little way. I said this once to somebody who responded with "I'm not changing, I'll find someone to accept me just the way I am." I believe he said it during pride month, which for him was every month.