Amazing humility

"Grabeng simple," remarked the man in front of us.

He pointed to someone in simple white barong, with his lovely wife, who lined up just like all the rest of the passengers of the early PAL 5 AM flight bound for Cebu yesterday morning. Right away, we knew he was referring to former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.

He could have chosen to stay in the Mabuhay lounge, escorted to, and insisted to be given a special seat in the first class section of the plane as most of this country's officials are wont to do. He could have asked someone to queue up to claim their luggage upon arrival. But he did not.

And that is why Chief Justice Davide will always be a class difficult to follow by those who proudly proclaim themselves as VIPs ( very important persons). His humility continues to amaze us all and this is what makes him shine even more among the great leaders not only of this country but of this world.

He is so approachable, always with his ready sincere smile that welcomes anyone who wishes to have a word with him, or pose with him, or have even a split second of just being with a great person like him. His lovely wife is just as incredibly warm, with even a ready see-you-again kiss for an ordinary someone whom she is meeting for the first time!

Such amazing humility is so rare among our officials, regardless of whether they are from the executive, legislative or judicial branches of national or local government, or even the military, media not exempt.

Even if they are not elected or appointed, the spouses and children of these proud officials and executives, even distant relatives, behave arrogantly and impress upon all that they are different from the ordinary Filipino, that they are the privileged and powerful in this country!

And oh, how they demand attention and special treatment wherever they go! How lowly they appear, though, before sterling leaders like Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. and his lovely wife!

No blaring sirens to escort him from the airport to his home, no bodyguards or platoon of soldiers to ensure his security, his simple, silent humility continue to loudly proclaim to all the greatness of a very inspiring Chief Justice! Oh, that this country would have more genuine leaders like him!

His amazing humility made us remember and revere even more the same humility of our dear Mama Mary, whose nativity we remembered yesterday, September 8.

Although handpicked to be the mother of Jesus Christ, an announcement that any human being would love to brag and to let the whole world know about, she accepted this news with amazing humility and total obedience!

Even as she was Christ's mother, she did not have any special privileges nor did she insist on being treated as a VIP. Instead, she was even made to wait by her Son who was busy then attending to the sick and the needy. She was also not spared, like every other human being, from her own share of heartaches and trials.

She was content to stay in the background, to have a low profile, but by doing so, has set the model for greatness for all human beings to emulate. Our Mama Mary points to God as our greatest exemplar of amazing humility.

Imagine our God, in His immeasurable love for us, sending His only Divine Son to become human, to be born in a lowly manger, and to be crucified upon a wooden cross. God could have chosen to remain divine and condemn ungrateful humans to their hell on earth. But He did not.

By showing the way, God's great men and women became so, not by boasting to the world about their own greatness. By living their lives in amazing humility and service, they remain in everlasting eminence.

What a beautiful way to be reminded about the essence of amazing humility and service on September 8, Mama Mary's feastday.

Oh if only this lesson is recognized by those who claim to be the best and the greatest in this world!

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