Reader writes August 2021
Surely now and again we have to make ourselves think about humility; we all accept that it’s a good thing, but it’s quite hard to find many advocates for it, or inspiring examples of humility among those in the position to impress us with it. Is humility a gift that should be accumulated relentlessly by the conscientious? Or is it a calling with the awful responsibility to help our less fortunate neighbours with it? But clearly, at the same time, you need the associated gift of modesty to keep humility decently covered up in public. And perhaps like ‘good breeding’ it should be contrived as perfectly natural rather than rehearsed.
If we have any doubts about humility let’s take heart from the bible where from start to finish we are told convincingly that it is not only a good thing, but it is for each one of us rather than the well endowed alone. Moses who performed so many mighty acts in God’s power was described as the “meekest man on the face of the earth”. Humility is not timidity or diffidence; perhaps the word meek captures that distinction. Jesus himself, emphasized by the gospel writers, displays a radical humility that leaves us with timeless examples and words. Think of the feet washing and his words to his disciples that “whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”.
When humility is put into practice in scripture, sometimes dramatically, we see extraordinary things happen. I like the gospel story of the synagogue leader, Jairus, publicly throwing himself down in the road before Jesus to plead with him to save his little daughter. He would do anything for his child; who wouldn’t? Then, right in the middle of this, a desperate unclean and unnamed woman came up behind Jesus to touch his cloak; when discovered, Jesus calls her Daughter and commends her faith. She was healed instantly of a 12 year menstrual discharge. Both ruler and outcast knelt in the dust in abject need; humility and faith in God’s great power went together.
Amidst the euphoria, and the despair, can we find inspiration and role models from Gareth Southgate and the England squad? Among the many qualities of the England manager and the bearing of the team, especially calmness and attention to detail, I see and admire integrity, thoughtfulness and humility; these are qualities often out of fashion, even despised. ‘Taking the knee’ in solidarity with the many facing vindictiveness shows strength and humility. The prophet Micah, perhaps a sort of spiritual team manager, asked “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Walking humbly takes strength and courage.
I’ve struggled to find a good metaphor from the natural world; but the dunnocks outside the window usually have something to say. Now that breeding is over the hen bird seems to make herself ever so ‘umble, fluffing up her feathers in a provocative way while evading attention from her mate. He, in contrast, struts around very importantly defending the territory and looking pleased with himself. Is it possible that she has contrived her show of humility to keep the order of things as they should be? I hope he is humble and fast enough to take cover when the proud sparrow hawk appears.
Robert MacCurrach