“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11)

In 1222 St. Anthony of Padua was asked to move from his rural hermitage to Bologna, to teach theology and canon law to young Franciscans studying for the priesthood and lay university students. Anthony was well aware of the emphasis St. Francis placed on humility. Francis knew that intellectual pride or an overzealous pursuit of higher learning could become a threat to humility, causing some friars to drift from the simple gospel life of love and poverty they had vowed to live.

Aware of St. Francis’ concerns, Anthony wisely sought Francis’ permission to teach. In a famous letter sent to Anthony in Bologna, Francis advised Anthony with these words: “It pleases me that you should teach sacred theology to the brothers as long as—in the words of the Rule—you do not extinguish the spirit of prayer and devotion with study of this kind.” Anthony took Francis’ advice seriously and carefully sought to balance his great intellectual gifts through the practice of humility.

Francis aspired to true humility in his life and in the life of his brothers. Not the self-effacing, “I’m not so important” or “I’m not really talented at much” platitude of humility, but true humility: honest assessment of one’s gifts and limitations and acknowledgment of the source of our abilities. The word “humility” is from the word humus, which means “of the earth, on the ground.” To truly be humble is to be well grounded. St Anthony knew that he was a gifted theologian, an exceptional homilist and speaker and could combine these in a way that was able to inspire people to come to Christ – in a way that few others of his day could match. And at the same time he worked hard to remain grounded, to be humble as he lived a life of love and poverty. Much like God. Like God? Yes, like God.

“The simplest way to describe God’s poverty and humility is in terms of love. Love gives itself away — this is God’s poverty. Love turns toward the other so it can give itself to the other — this is God’s humility. In the Incarnation, God turns toward us through the Son/Word and gives (him)self to us as love. We call this gift of God’s love to us, this total self-emptying love, “kenosis.” The poverty of God is the kenosis or self-emptying of the Word, the descent of the Word, from the riches of divine glory into our fragile human nature. The God whom Francis discovered is a God who shows himself to us in poor and humble fragile human flesh. This is a God who loves us so much as to be reckless in love, a God who throws it all away out of love and never tires of loving.” (Sr. Ilia Delio, The Humility of God)

Something to pray about, heh?