Monday, October 18, 2010

Litany of Humility


A prayer that I’ve grown incredibly fond of in recent years is the Litany of Humility. It’s a prayer that I often find incredibly difficult to say and really mean. If I had a dollar for every time in a week that I find myself desiring praise…or approval…or consultation… or acted out of fear of embarrassment or being wronged… then I could pay my (and probably your) college tuition for the year.


Humility is not easy, but is so necessary. We are called to humility, to cast out our sins of pride and selfishness. Christ was the essence of humility – God took the form of a human to bear our sins, was born in a stable, and died a humiliating death on a cross between two criminals…. all for us. There is quite the link between holiness and humility.


My favorite line in this prayer is “That others become holier than I, provided that I become as holy as I should”. Such a beautiful, selfless statement – to pray that all those around you become holier than you, yet still asking to become as holy as God wants. I hope I never lose that desire.
Reflect on your own desires and fears as you pray this prayer. Add it to your daily prayers and check out the youtube video below to hear it sung beautifully by Danielle Rose.

Peace of Christ,
Meghan


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

From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus. (repeat after each
line)

From the desire of being loved,

From the desire of being extolled,

From the desire of being honored,

From the desire of being praised,

From the desire of being preferred to others,

From the desire of being consulted,

From the desire of being approved,

From the fear of being humiliated,

From the fear of being despised,

From the fear of suffering rebukes,

From the fear of being calumniated,

From the fear of being forgotten,

From the fear of being ridiculed,

From the fear of being wronged,

From the fear of being suspected,

That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
(repeat after each line)

That others may be esteemed more than I ,

That, in the opinion of the world,

others may increase and I may decrease,

That others may be chosen and I set aside,

That others may be praised and I unnoticed,

That others may be preferred to me in everything,

That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I
should.

3 comments:

  1. An interesting prayer to be sure. Who embodies this prayer for you? What does humility look like? I don't think I'm afraid of being despised, humiliated, forgotten, etc., but I'd prefer that it didn't happen, and I don't seek out opportunities to make it happen.

    Who composed this prayer and when?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for this post, Meghan. I've been thinking about the people at NDC who live humility. We have many! You are a blessing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I totally agree Meghan Baron. I will be the first to admit that I catch myself living through humility and it is hard to avoid it. Thank you Meghan Baron and God Bless!

    ReplyDelete