Humility is a virtue that all Christians are called to live and practice; it is a hallmark of authentic Christian life. We find many references to humility in the Scriptures, the fathers and contemporary elders.

1 Peter 5:5 : Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Philippians 2:5-8 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

“Humility protects the soul from all the passions and also from every temptation.” Dorotheos of Gaza

Out of the mouth of babes. . .

The response of an 8-year-old to the question, “What does it mean to be humble?” — “to put others before yourself.”

Humility does not come easily to any of us. Our tendency is to think of and to act on our own needs and wants before those of our spouse.

Marriage Exercise

Together, take a few moments for quiet, prayerful reflection, perhaps standing before the icon of Christ or Christ and the Panagia.

1) Think about and write down:

  • the ways in which your spouse puts you before him/her self in small and/or big ways
  • the ways in which you put your spouse before yourself
  • the ways in which you could better put your spouse before yourself

2) Share your reflections/thoughts with each other

3) Decide together on one way in which you will each deliberately practice humility toward your spouse and commit to it.

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