Bravery, vulnerability and humility

In chapter 10 of Richard Foster's book 'Learning Humility' he links the Lakota virtue of bravery with humility. It seemed quite randomly coincidental since it falls on this day where we honor and celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Lakota people describe bravery as "an open act of vulnerability." In other words, being brave isn't about attacking others - it is not blind or reckless - but a conscious 'standing firm' for truth and justice. It's not about 'us' individually, but 'us' as a whole. I like that.

Also in this chapter Foster shares "The Litany of Humility" which is attributed to Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930). Like Foster, I too am not sure how I feel about the entire work, but I do appreciate the emphasis that humility is something we must intently seek. Here it is:

THE LITANY OF HUMILITY

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, 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 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. 

 

Can you imagine reading through that every day? Wow! [Which is probably a sign that I need to]

Again, I'm not sure how I feel about praying against the desire to be loved and so forth. However, it was fairly eye-opening to me just how many of the things on this list regularly upset me (wanting praised, preferred and approved; to not be humiliated, forgotten, or wronged; etc.)! 

Hmm... not only do I need to be braver, but I need delivered! A lot!