To describe God as “humble” may seem outrageous or even scandalous. Who could stake one’s life on a humble God? Yet, it was precisely the humility of God that caught Francis’ attention—no, even better—to which he devoted his life. This is how Thomas of Celano describes Francis:
Humble in manner,
he was more humble in opinion,
and most humble in his own estimation.
This prince of God
could not be identified as a prelate,
except by this sparkling gem:
he was the least among the lesser.
…There was no arrogance in his mouth,
no pomp in his gestures,
no conceit in his actions.
He learned by revelation
the meaning of many things,
but when he was conversing among others
he put the opinions of others ahead of his own.
When we understand the God of poor and humble love, then we understand Francis’ poor and humble life.
—from the book The Humility of God: A Franciscan Perspective
by Ilia Delio, OSF
