By Fr. Glenn Jones

An edifying article in the news this weekend: “Anonymous Donor Gives $25 Million To Children’s Hospital In Los Angeles”. Wow … 25 million smack-olas—not chump change by anyone’s reckoning. And, in what seemingly befits Christian teaching very well, the donor seeks no acclaim, just as Jesus Himself exhorted us: “…when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:2-4) Well, there’s no bigger trumpet than the media, and to seek to remain unknown speaks much of the class of the donor.

Having the class of humility can be tough. In the instance cited, the common tendency might be to parade a check-placard in front of the gathered press so as to bask in resulting accolades: “Oh, you’re so generous … so marvelous … so wonderful!” … not even mentioning the financial and material benefits that might accrue to such notoriety. And yet … when someone “toots his own horn”, does not that diminish him for that very reason? We instinctively suspect ulterior motives … just as our hypocrites in Jesus’ example. 

We see this sort of thing in politics very frequently: some legislation or program initiated at a press conference so as to garner maximum visibility for the sponsors … perhaps out of some concern, but we cannot but suspect (not without historical precedent) the primary motive to be acquiring votes in the next election. In democratic systems, in which even Plato foresaw would tend towards being popularity contests (The Republic, chapter 8), such “tooting of the horn” might seem to be the expected order of things. And, of course, we’ve all known people who trumpet their achievements at every opportunity—either out of insecurity or to obtain favor. 

But … it comes down to what we value, I suppose. To assert that the dependable industrious person always receives a fair reward—at least in this life—would be naïve. But if the rewards we seek are ever the trappings of the external, is it a true reward? That’s why cheating is so self-defeating: one might gain those accolades or material “enhancements”, but always internally you know that you’re a “cheater”… lacking in integrity and honor … dishonest … a crook. The same goes in varying degrees for usurping others’ ideas as your own, or taking credit for another’s accomplishments or work. Quite odious.

Thus … one must discern which one values more: the material or the spiritual? Integrity, or mere material gain? Conscience, or to be unconscionable. For parents: would you want your children to be materially “set” but ashamed at a dishonored name, or vice versa?

And so we see the wisdom of scripture, and especially of the words (and actions) of Jesus, the kernel of which being: “In all things: humility”. Or, as one saint remarked when asked which were the three most important virtues: “First … humility. Second … humility. Third … humility.” Humility is a sine qua non of the Christian, and a sine qua non of simply having true class.

Quite wrongly, humility is often confused with humiliation. However, on the contrary, think about those humble and unassuming persons you’ve known in your lives, comparing them with those who displayed much arrogance. Whom do you admire more? … even if the arrogant had attained some high position? In such case we might envy the position, but certainly not admire the person. We seem to almost instinctively distrust and be repulsed by the arrogant, and yet be drawn towards humble souls. Perhaps we see selfishness in arrogance but generosity in humility—the arrogant focusing upon—and concerned with—themselves, while the humble and helpful person being more concerned with the other … apparently like our hospital donor.

For we Christians: we know that as Christ Himself demonstrated the utmost in humility, we, too, are called to emulate and imitate Him in that as in all things. A daunting and constant struggle it is, to be sure … especially when the “low-hanging fruit” of accolade and material profit may be dangled temptingly before us. But then … we remember His words: “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven,” (Matthew 18:3-4), for “…many that are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 19:30)

Yes, this is almost diametrically opposed to much of the world’s thinking … but, dear brothers and sisters in Christ – with all that Jesus has done for us, and Himself suffered being considered the fool during His Passion for our sake, cannot we ourselves deign—in like humility—to be fools for Him, as St. Paul so famously wrote: “We are fools for Christ’s sake…” (1 Corinthians 4:10 RSV) There may BE some “humiliation”, but then we are in the best of company! … for when we most resemble Christ in our attitude and action, we become most like Christ, holding in our ear those words of Our Lord: “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25). Certainly where His apostle—and Christ Himself—has trod, His disciples—then and now—are called to follow.

“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?’ (Micah 6:8)

Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.