Humus = Real

Reflective response within Diaconal 2011 Report to Bishop Smith: A reflection of one event, issue, etc. that was a learning experience during the past year and the impact of the event, issue, etc. with you as a "transforming agent in the world."

It was not an event or issue, but a word and a version of its definition that would spark my “learning experience” journey. The word is “humility”; and Henri Nouwen, defined it in this way:

“Humility is the real Christian virtue. It means staying close to the ground (humus), to people, to everyday life, to what is happening with all its down-to-earthiness. It is the virtue that opens our eyes for the presence of God on the earth and allows us to live grateful lives.”

This definition comes from Nouwen’s book Gracias ! (a Latin American Journal) which I finished while being in Haiti in late October of last year. Knowing that the general definition of humility or being humble is that of being modest or meek, humus or the ground seems more direct and eye-level, and not stand-off’ish or in the shadow-of, in relation to one another. This down-to-earthiness description made me wonder, how close to the ground do I get in this role of being human. Living in a culture that bridges both clerical and secular, that is full of boxed-in identities, and moves at e-turbo speed to stay in touch with one another, at ever nano-second, the true self gets lost. And, wholesome connections to humanity also get lost.

While kneeling over a child who has died of cholera to pray, did I “feel” the ground? While helping to distribute fresh produce (surplus), did I “inhale” the freshness of the early morning earth through the faces of those in line – young, old, tired, multi-cultured, freshly made-up, etc.? While listening to words which define ministry(ies) from Deacons and Deacons-in-Formation, do I “hear” these voices in their individual pitch and tone?

Feeling, inhaling, and hearing are senses that rise from the ground – humus. Being a “Transforming Agent in the World”, means that this definition of humility must be my life line – that is being grounded with senses “on alert.” That I must be able to be at eye-level, at ear-level, and at a hue-man being level, that does not judge (i.e. boxing in identities); that I continue to breathe in a pray with a full exhale of “Thank You” to God who allows me to serve as a transforming agent.