Losing Myself

Humility. The art of losing one's self (thanks, Hillsong).

C.S. Lewis (I'm told by John Piper and Brian Loritz) says that humility is not a beautiful woman saying she's ugly or a smart man saying he's dumb. Humility is a person who is more concerned about others than either his shortcomings or his strengths.

The most challenging part of this word for me is the fact that humility leads to confrontation in love. We often avoid confrontation either out of indifference or out of self-preservation - we still want them to like us. Humility says that I value this person more than I value my reputation. Therefore, I must be willing to confront them on this issue.

May the prayers of the Litany of Humility draw us into the heart of the one who thought only of the Father's will and the joy set before him.

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.