Virtue of Humility

| by E.Manoharan

( September 13, 2012, Jaffna, Sri Lanka Guardian) Our Holy Bible teaches us that Humility is an important Virtue, without which it is absolutely impossible to bear any Fruits at all. Lord Jesus Christ began his sermon on the mount with a clear call to humility saying “Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”(Matthew: - 5:3)

In fact he was born as a carpenter. It is noteworthy that Gad chose a few shepherds to give the great news of the birth of Christ. It was the wish of the Almighty that when King Herod and the courtiers and the scholarly scribes and theologians were fast asleep in the lap of luxuries, it would be the lowly shepherds who would have the fortune to visit and adore the saviour first.

God wanted to establish a loving relationship between God and Man. This relationship with even the most lowly - the shepherds - in the society and that is why he accepted the humility of the stable. Jesus was not clad in cosy costumes but was wrapped in bands of cloth and lied in a manager. Like Lizar, he had only rags.

For thirty years he was with his Parents and assisted his father in carpentry. During his mission of three and a half years he moved with sinners and forgave their sins. He healed the sick and the disabled. What a pity Jesus had for sick and the downtrodden!

Pride is the most horrid of all spiritual diseases. Jesus chose the fisher folk as his apostles. Jesus said unto them while they were in their boats “Follow me. I will make you fisher’s of men.” The Apostles were really martyrs in the propagation of the faith.

Some years ago a rider on horseback happened to come across a squad of soldiers trying to move a huge tree. The rider saw a well polished colonel standing near the soldiers giving orders. But the squad of soldiers found it rather impossible to move the tree for it was too heavy.

The man on horseback pitied the army men and asked the colonel to help them in lifting the tree. “Me? Why I am a colonel, Sir” he replied. The rider dismounted from the horse and took his place beside the soldiers; smiling at them encouragingly he said “Now all together boys heave!” The huge tree moved easily with the assistance of the additional man. Silently the stranger mounted his horse. While preparing to leave he said to the Colonel “Next time if you have a tree to move send for your commander - in Chief” They were simply stunned. It was only then that the Colonel and his men came to know that the stronger was none other than General George Washington.

Gandhiji is one of the greatest men of the twentieth century who has been admired by the whole universe. He was well known for his good qualities of humility, honesty and kindness. Though he was a barrister at Law, he wore “Kathar” clothes Spun all by himself. He didn’t mind even though Sir Winston Churchill, the then prime minister of England teased him as “Half Naked Fakir”.

When Mahatma Gandhi once asked his wife to clean the bathroom, she refused and said “I am dead tired in entertaining visitors by giving them tea and short eats. Daily so many visitors come to see you. As such you go and clean the bathroom. Gandhi lost his temper and pushed her out of the house. Suddenly it began to rain heavily and Kasthuribai got thoroughly drenched in the rain. She was shivering too. Only then Mahatma realized his folly and got her in. He felt sorry for her. Without any hesitation Mahatma fell down on her knees and begged pardon.

Let us first learn to respect other’s feeling and try our level best not to offend others. We as Christians should set an example as Jesus did when he laid aside his garments, Gird himself with a towel and washed his disciples’ feet to teach hum unto us.

Therefore let us humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God so that he may exalt us in due time.