TODAY’S TOPIC:  HUMBLE PIE

My first experience of a lesson in humility came from a story I read as a child.  Despite my shaky memory, I can’t remember the title of the story, but the lesson certainly stayed with me.

(Young child in Costa Rica scouting out some religious books for kids.  Parents be sure to start young with great books that teach virtue.)

The story begins with a big brother taking advantage of his size, quickness, and seniority over his younger siblings.  And time and time again, the “survival of the fittest” proved true, especially at the dinner table.  After the family prayed grace before the meal, the big brother regularly managed to get the best and largest portion for himself.  This made him quite proud of himself.  But this obviously left the young ones discouraged and frustrated.  Sound familiar?  Well one day the mother made a special dessert, an individual apple pie for everyone in the family.  Each pie was beautifully crusted and perfectly sweet smelling.  However, one pie was bigger and more sumptuous looking than the others.

(It’s not a pie, but these desserts for a seminary function could create some “jealousy.”  But there’s plenty to share.)

As it normally turned out, the big brother quickly reached for the larger-than-life pie, declaring it was all for himself and that he wasn’t willing to share any of it with others.  The younger siblings were of course discouraged, but content enough to have their shares.  Everyone anxiously dug into the individual pies with great satisfaction, except the big brother, even though he had the biggest pie.  He discovered the pie had no filling.  It was big, but empty!
The mother was obviously trying to teach a lesson about humility and other necessary virtues connected to it:

Bigger doesn’t always mean better.  The first shall be last.  Greed gets us nowhere.  The measure we give is the measure we receive.

Had the bigger brother been willing to share, I’m sure some of the younger kids would have followed suit.  Instead, he ended up with nothing.

(Homeless people in the city of San Francisco.  Seeing homeless people is always a difficult thing for me to experience.  Our world has so many resources and yet so many go without the basic necessities of life.  Our humble service can help!)

Perhaps it’s providential that I learned about humility with a story that used food to teach that lesson!  Dinnertime provides the perfect setting to learn about humility.  In fact, the Bible is filled with stories that taught lessons about humility through food.  From the Old Testament I can think of Adam and Eve’s pride-filled forbidden fruit, the competitive meal between Esau and Jacob, Elijah’s humble hearth cake made by the poor widow, and let’s not forget the quail and manna from 40 years of wandering through a dessert.

The New Testament is equally interested in teaching humility through a collection of culinary creations:  the humbled prodigal son’s fattened calf, the simple fish sandwiches that feed 5,000; and of course the greatest lesson of all – the Last Supper.

(Hosts to be consecrated at the Pro-Life Mass in Washington, D.C.)

As many Christians prepare for the coming season of Lent, it may be a good and noble thing to reflect on a slice of humble pie for the entire family – and especially for our own good.  The principal spiritual pillars of Lent – Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving – serve as prescriptions to remedy our prideful inclinations.  Just like a bit of the humble pie, these spiritual exercises can help us remember some of the “big brother’s” lessons:  a big house with no love or family to share it doesn’t make it a happy home, humbly allowing someone in front of us will probably prevent some road rage and calm the impatience of some, if we are kind and merciful to others God will be the same for us.  Yes, Lent is a great time to recognize the big brother’s tendencies in each of us.

Humility is not an easy virtue to learn.  We will never master this virtue in this lifetime, but it’s worth making it a goal every day of our lives.  We can learn about humility through humiliating experiences, or we can learn about this virtue through prayer, reading about the humility of saints, and even by having healthy dinner conversations with family and friends.  Families can help each other grow in an understanding of God’s favorite virtue for His children..

(Blessed Teresa of Calcutta’s Missionaries of Charity.  Sisters who had a simple but profoundly beautiful celebration for the sick and suffering under their care, at the Gift of Peace House in Washington, D.C.)

Recently I was interviewed about how the Grace Before Meals movement can help us understand the Christian practice of Lent.  Now people could come to the conclusion that I just want people to eat all day, even though the Lenten season requires its Christian practitioners to curb some of our culinary cravings?  My answer to this question reminded my interviewer that our movement is not about food as the “end,” but simply as a “means.”  The food on the table, a portion of God’s blessing indeed, helps bring together the greater blessings of our family and friends around the table.  This way we can be fed with more important things in life – like our love for each other, which requires a healthy serving of Christian humility.

(Grandparents with their granddaughters.  The family has regular meals together.  We don’t always eat exquisite food, but meals are always special – Dec 31, 2009.)

As we quickly approach the season of Lent next week, it may be a good idea to prepare for Ash Wednesday now.  We should all take a humble inventory and express to God gratitude for our virtues while asking forgiveness for our vices – especially those sins and struggles connected to pride.  Consider making a sacramental confession BEFORE Lent, as 40 days does go by quickly.

(Old Style Confessional)

Next week, I’ll be sending out some recipes and menu ideas that will be perfect for Lent.  Seafood and non-meat recipes can help families celebrate God’s goodness – even if it’s a penitential meal!

(Seafood boil)

Finally, I know many people have asked for prayers.  I’ll resume sending some prayerful thoughts and prayer ideas in occasional E-mail Blasts.  For now, click HERE for a link to a powerful prayer called the “Litany of Humility.”  But be attentive that when you pray for this virtue of humility, God could answer your prayer and give you an experience of humility when you least expect it or desire it.

A slice of humble pie doesn’t taste good.  But it’s a remedy against the hunger pangs of pride.

How would you define or describe the virtue of humility?  How have you learned this lesson and how would you teach it to others?  Has God ever “humbled” you?  If you’re willing to share your story, tell us how?  Your comments are extremely important to our international community.  Your participation truly helps our Dinner Discussion.  Please share your thoughts and post your comments below.

Posted in Dinner Discussion, Grace Before Meals, Past Emails | 6 Comments »