To be humble means to see ourselves as we are. It comes with the recognition that we are never perfect, better than another, or free of sin. The humble person knows their faults and failings as well as their successes and triumphs. They also realize that they are nothing without God, especially God’s mercy. The humble one knows who they are, who they can be, and how they have fallen short. Being desperately in love with God, they know how they have sometimes given in to their desires rather than God’s will, almost with a sense of embarrassment. Being justified in our relationship with God is not about a list of the good things we do and the bad things we don’t. We are vindicated when we realize how totally dependent we are upon God’s gratuitous, abundant, and unconditional love. It is a gift we often take for granted and is often unappreciated.