St. Josemaria’s 17 Signs of a Lack of Humility

St. Peter's List ^ | 3-18-13 | Gregory

[mlizzy]

Listers from the moment our Holy Father Pope Francis stepped onto the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s square, his manners and style were hailed as humble. Humility is a virtue which we all ought to develop to bring ourselves in greater conformity with Christ as we seek “to temper and restrain the mind, lest it tend to high things immoderately.”¹

Mother of Fair Love, a gift of Josemaría Escrivá to the University of Navarra: John Paul II stated: “Love for our Lady is a constant characteristic of the life of Josemaría Escrivá.” – Wikipedia

Below is an excerpt from the writings of St. Josemaria which can help us identify a lack of humility in ourselves.

Allow me to remind you that among other evident signs of a lack of humility are:

1. Thinking that what you do or say is better than what others do or say
2. Always wanting to get your own way
3. Arguing when you are not right or — when you are — insisting stubbornly or with bad manners
4. Giving your opinion without being asked for it, when charity does not demand you to do so
5. Despising the point of view of others
6. Not being aware that all the gifts and qualities you have are on loan
7. Not acknowledging that you are unworthy of all honour or esteem, even the ground you are treading on or the things you own
8. Mentioning yourself as an example in conversation
9. Speaking badly about yourself, so that they may form a good opinion of you, or contradict you
10. Making excuses when rebuked
11. Hiding some humiliating faults from your director, so that he may not lose the good opinion he has of you
12. Hearing praise with satisfaction, or being glad that others have spoken well of you
13. Being hurt that others are held in greater esteem than you
14. Refusing to carry out menial tasks
15. Seeking or wanting to be singled out
16. Letting drop words of self-praise in conversation, or words that might show your honesty, your wit or skill, your professional prestige…
17. Being ashamed of not having certain possessions…

St. Josemaria, pray for us!

1. Summa Theologicae, Secunda Secundae Question 161

[mlizzy]

Something to think about for the New Year.

St. Josemaria, please pray for us!

[circlecity]

Bottom line: There are no humble people.

[dfwgator]

I’m the most humble person I know.

[circlecity]

"I’m the most humble person I know."

Only because we've never met.

[campaignPete R-CT]

"There are no humble people."

humility is not one of the optional virtues.

[longfellowsmuse]

I know that I am guilty of many of these…it would be hard to be human and not fall somewhere on this list…after all who does not feel good when nice things are said about them?

It is always good to remember to seek humility. It is the only way we can truly enter a relationship with God who gives us everything.

[circlecity]

"humility is not one of the optional virtues."

But according to this list it is an impossible one. For the flesh at least.

[mountn man]

[mountn man]

1.Thinking that what you do or say is better than what others do or say
2.Always wanting to get your own way
3.Arguing when you are not right or — when you are — insisting stubbornly or with bad manners
4.Giving your opinion without being asked for it, when charity does not demand you to do so
5.Despising the point of view of others
6.Not being aware that all the gifts and qualities you have are on loan
7.Not acknowledging that you are unworthy of all honour or esteem, even the ground you are treading on or the things you own
8.Mentioning yourself as an example in conversation
9.Speaking badly about yourself, so that they may form a good opinion of you, or contradict you
10.Making excuses when rebuked
11.Hiding some humiliating faults from your director, so that he may not lose the good opinion he has of you
12.Hearing praise with satisfaction, or being glad that others have spoken well of you
13.Being hurt that others are held in greater esteem than you
14.Refusing to carry out menial tasks
15.Seeking or wanting to be singled out
16.Letting drop words of self-praise in conversation, or words that might show your honesty, your wit or skill, your professional prestige…
17.Being ashamed of not having certain possessions…

[mountn man]

Humility is always elusive.

Just when you think you might have attained it, guess what? You haven't.

[mountn man]

I’m the most humble person I know.

If we don't believe it, all we have to do is ask you. :)

[Dr. Sivana]

The way I read the headline, I thought it was a piece attacking St. José Maria for his lack of humility!

[crazycatlady]

Could also be a job description for being in talk radio or other opinion media.

Or most of my ex-boyfriends.

[crazycatlady]

Seriously, thanks for posting.

[mlizzy]

The way I read the headline, I thought it was a piece attacking St. José Maria for his lack of humility!

Oh, heaven forbid! :) Josemaria was our confessor's favorite; he was always handing out prayer cards (from the confessional) for his cause ~ the two of them now reside in the same heavenly space...

Fr. Schendt, please pray for us!

[Hieronymus]

I’m grateful to Dr. Sivana for posting on the alternate reading, as it saved me the time of doing so myself (and perhaps of having to go to confession again....)

[RBStealth]

IMHEIUO, you are both wrong, I am the most humble.

[Carpe Cerevisi]

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.

[DannyTN]

1. Thinking that what you do or say is better than what others do or say Me and most freepers- hey but in general we are smarter and some of us are smarter still.
2. Always wanting to get your own way Well yeah, see #1
3. Arguing when you are not right or — when you are — insisting stubbornly or with bad manners Not me, but most freepers
4. Giving your opinion without being asked for it, when charity does not demand you to do so Charity always demands my opinion
5. Despising the point of view of others Only when they are wrong about something that hurts people - see #4
6. Not being aware that all the gifts and qualities you have are on loan
7. Not acknowledging that you are unworthy of all honour or esteem, even the ground you are treading on or the things you ownYou're killing my self esteem here. Okay, maybe I forget more than just sometimes.
8. Mentioning yourself as an example in conversation Personal experience is a valid argument. But bragging shouldn't be done
9. Speaking badly about yourself, so that they may form a good opinion of you, or contradict you. Does that include admitting to doing some of these?
10. Making excuses when rebuked Who needs excuses that rebuke was out of line.
11. Hiding some humiliating faults from your director, so that he may not lose the good opinion he has of you There's a saying about the more you stir sh**, the more it stinks.
12. Hearing praise with satisfaction, or being glad that others have spoken well of you Give me a break! If you don't love yourself, you can't love others.
13. Being hurt that others are held in greater esteem than you Just wanted to be the best
14. Refusing to carry out menial tasks I'm going to go clean the kitchen.
15. Seeking or wanting to be singled out How do you know your the best, unless they single you out?
16. Letting drop words of self-praise in conversation, or words that might show your honesty, your wit or skill, your professional prestige…Good wit is a skill and if you don't sell yourself, who will. But actions speak louder than words.
17. Being ashamed of not having certain possessions…If I'm so dang smart, how come I'm not rich?

[DannyTN]

1. Thinking that what you do or say is better than what others do or say Me and most freepers- hey but in general we are smarter and some of us are smarter still.
2. Always wanting to get your own way Well yeah, see #1
3. Arguing when you are not right or — when you are — insisting stubbornly or with bad manners Not me, but most freepers
4. Giving your opinion without being asked for it, when charity does not demand you to do so Charity always demands my opinion
5. Despising the point of view of others Only when they are wrong about something that hurts people - see #4
6. Not being aware that all the gifts and qualities you have are on loan I forget sometimes, but usually aware.
7. Not acknowledging that you are unworthy of all honour or esteem, even the ground you are treading on or the things you ownYou're killing my self esteem here. Okay, maybe I forget more than just sometimes.
8. Mentioning yourself as an example in conversation Personal experience is a valid argument. But bragging shouldn't be done
9. Speaking badly about yourself, so that they may form a good opinion of you, or contradict you. Does that include admitting to doing some of these?
10. Making excuses when rebuked Who needs excuses that rebuke was out of line.
11. Hiding some humiliating faults from your director, so that he may not lose the good opinion he has of you There's a saying about the more you stir sh**, the more it stinks.
12. Hearing praise with satisfaction, or being glad that others have spoken well of you Give me a break! If you don't love yourself, you can't love others.
13. Being hurt that others are held in greater esteem than you Just wanted to be the best
14. Refusing to carry out menial tasks I'm going to go clean the kitchen.
15. Seeking or wanting to be singled out How do you know your the best, unless they single you out?
16. Letting drop words of self-praise in conversation, or words that might show your honesty, your wit or skill, your professional prestige…Good wit is a skill and if you don't sell yourself, who will. But actions speak louder than words.
17. Being ashamed of not having certain possessions…If I'm so dang smart, how come I'm not rich?