Humility in this Day and Age

Nov 19

The apostle Peter said:

"In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."
(1 Peter 5:5-6)

During these troubled times, many people, including those in positions of leadership in our society, have draped themselves in a mantle of self-righteousness instead of to mindfulness. When, for example, a public figure condemns anyone for not wearing a mask in public or for not observing social distance guidelines, but then is caught flagrantly violating the things he or she was railing against, the damage is not limited to their hypocrisy. Their lack of humility has a corrosive effect on all of us, eroding trust in our leaders and turning us into cynics.

As medical practitioners, especially with a deep and abiding faith in Lord, it is incumbent upon us to set an example of true humility in guiding those in our care, their family members and the community in which we serve. To those who think that to act and serve with humility is, perhaps, a sign of weakness, we humbly but strenuously disagree. God, in His acts of loving-kindness and mercy, shows us the way. It manifests itself in how we should treat our patients, not just medically, in clinical terms, but emotionally and spiritually, as fellow human beings made in His image.