Virility as At Once Magnanimity and Humility

Tim Tebow and now Jeremy Lin: there is a small surge of fierce, competitive, dominant athletes who are also openly faith-filled, pious and humble. In a thought-provoking opinion piece (NY Times, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012) David Brooks raises the “Jeremy Linn Problem:” Are not the directional energies of aggressive, dominant, competitive athletics and humble, obedient piety contradictory of each other? He quotes Lin’s own introspective reflections on the interior tension he deals with in trying to look beyond his own selfish satisfactions towards greater goals. He quotes renowned Orthodox Jewish theologian Joseph Soloveitchik on the sharp contrast between the ethos of Majesty and that of Humility. Columnist Brooks seems to agree with sage Soloveitchik that the courage of the athlete and the humility of the saint are opposites.

For a Christian, however, humility and magnanimity infuse and define each other: they are two sides of the same coin. The genuine saint is characterized by “magnanimity.” The etymology of this is Latin: “great-spiritedness.” It implies boldness, courage, intensity, passion, zeal, and depth and breadth of vision. An authentically humble man is bold and courageous:
- Fearless, ego-deflated, and engaged in a mission beyond his own individual status and honor.
- Admits his weakness and failings but is not paralyzed by self-centered fear.
- Knows his strengths and gifts and exercises them to the maximum, free of inhibitions.
- Is in love with Someone/Something beyond himself and eager to self-sacrifice.
- Sees himself as a role-player, part of a greater whole, a community, a team, and so he does not crave attention. He empowers and depends upon his fellows.
- Does not take himself or his private success seriously and so he is light-hearted, humorous, free.

Think of our great saints: Paul, Francis of Assisi, Francis Xavier, Dominic, Mother Teresa, and John Paul II. They are all humble and yet fierce, relentless, passionate, and iron-willed.

Think of our favorite heroes: Aragon, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Atticus Finch, or the more inspiring performances by John Wayne, Harrison Ford, Gary Cooper, or Jimmy Stewart. Are they not equally gentle and strong?

What father would want his daughter to marry a man who is strong without humility, or humble without strength? For strength without humility would be a false strength; and humility without strength would be a bogus humility.

And so, a Majesty and Humility in mutual opposition would both be superficial and inauthentic. There is something very “B.C.” or “before Christ” about the dichotomy described by Brooks and Soloveitchik. In the earlier dispensation, priest, prophet and king were entirely distinct missions. The warrior king, think of Samson or David, was hardly clean enough to enter the sacred space and offer holy sacrifice.

But in our Lord Jesus we recognize the quintessential warrior, king, priest, victim, and prophet; the lion and the lamb; one who is overcome by suffering and death even as He is triumphant over death, sin, Satan and his legions, and all the principalities and powers.

Praise be to God for Tebow and Lin!

May all of us be filled with this Holy Spirit of gentle strength, bold kindness, and humble zeal!