Chasing Humility
8 Ways to Shape a Christian Heart
by Joel Stepanek
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Pub Date Apr 05 2019 | Archive Date Apr 25 2019
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Description
Joel Stepanek grew up believing that humility required shunning success, never accepting praise, and embracing a crummy life so that God would reward him in heaven. Then he became successful—at being a missionary. On a quest to find balance, Stepanek discovered powerful wisdom hidden within a nineteenth-century prayer that radically changed his life: the Litany of Humility. He shows you what he has learned about true Christian humility and how to right-size your expectations for living this crucial virtue.
As Stepanek, director of resource development at Life Teen, began to study and pray with the Litany of Humility, he discovered a pattern for spiritual growth that now anchors the way he lives. In Chasing Humility, he helps you explore eight essential aspects of humility in the life of a Christian: authenticity, confidence, gratitude, love, praise, empowerment, mentoring, and breaking barriers.
In addition to humorous and engaging stories and theological reflections, each chapter gives you practical exercises for spiritual growth such as:
- creating an authenticity diagram to explore how you see yourself, how you think God sees you, and how you believe others do;
- learning to keep a gratitude journal; and
- developing habits of speech that acknowledge and praise others for successes, rather than remaining focused on your own accomplishments.
This book will not only help you to understand and embrace the importance of humility, but teach you to love the virtue as well.
A Note From the Publisher
He earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from the University of Wisconsin in 2007. In 2015, he earned a master’s degree in religion and religious education with an emphasis in youth and young adult ministry from Fordham University. He previously served as director of youth ministry at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and is an adjunct faculty member at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Stepanek is the author or coauthor of several books, including Getting More Out of Confession, True North, and Greatest Job on Earth.
Advance Praise
“In Chasing Humility, Joel Stepanek does a masterful job giving the reader practical steps for cultivating authentic humility. Drawing on scripture, engaging stories, and good old common sense, this book is funny and wise, raw and relatable. Stepanek’s insights offer a soul-stirring read to any soul looking to improve. The question isn’t whether we need to be humble, but who can be humble enough to do something about it. This book is the perfect way to grow in holiness and ultimately, happiness, one achievable step at a time.”
Mark Hart
Executive Vice President Life Teen International
“This book was like a punch to the gut—a much needed, very welcome, life-changing gut punch. It is bold, honest, and raw. Joel has given us an absolutely delightful read that is also really challenging, and it was just what we (and so many others) need to be reminded of the necessity to both seek humility and live and walk humbly with the Lord. Read this book. Absorb this book. Let Joel and his words on humility sucker-punch you and you’ll be so grateful.”
Katie Prejean McGrady and Tommy McGrady
Catholic speakers and cohosts of The Electric Waffle
“Joel Stepanek highlights for us the proper and sacred space of humility in the Christian life. Exploring the Litany of Humility, he provides a delightful roadmap for embracing the virtue not as a weakness but as a strength in our personal prayer lives and leadership outreach. There could not be a better time for leaders to be reintroduced to the virtue of humility in a world that very often values self-centeredness over seeing and supporting others.”
Rev. Dan Felton
Vicar General Diocese of Green Bay
“Joel Stepanek’s voice and vision are incredibly needed in the Catholic Church today. With clarity, joy, and a sharp intellect, he unpacks the virtue of humility in a way that is accessible and inspiring for people at all levels of faith. What a gift this book will be to anyone who picks it up!”
Emily Wilson Hussem
Catholic musician, speaker, and author of Go Bravely
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781594718953 |
| PRICE | $16.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 160 |
Featured Reviews
Ashley M, Reviewer
A supremely powerful read! I am so deeply impressed and changed by this book that I know that I will return to it over and over. More than that, I will suggest it to others too. The lessons contained in this book are profoundly important. Excellent book.
Librarian 296405
Straight-forward but not simplistic, engaging but not overly complex - Chasing Humily deals with its subject by organising itself around one clear path. The chapters are based around the words of a prayer for us to be free from things that stop us being humble (like the fear of being gossiped about, and being insecure in God's love). So far it has walked the tightrope for me - I am enjoying it and it is making me think - it is clear of fluff but deep enough to have me thinking about it when I am not reading it. I think it will continue to affect me - and I love the reintroduction of the old word 'calumnity'....Recommended.
Cindy C, Reviewer
An excellent book on the Christian concept of humility. Written in an engaging, informal tone, the author tackles the demons of pride and narcissism with respect to contemporary situations. Practicing humility in a world of social media and ladder-climbing work environments are front and center of this book. The author helpfully gives sound guidance and practical tips on living for others, loving others, and practicing both gratitude and humility on a regular basis. Perfect for Lent or for parish small group discussions.
Janet P, Reviewer
An excellent extended meditation on the Litany ofHumility, a short prayer that will help any Christian led a better, more Christ-focused life. Stepanek groups the parts of the litany into groups of three related prayers and devotes a chapter to each.
It took me a little while to get into the book, but it's an excellent introduction to and aid for one of my favorite prayers.
Shane H, Librarian
First off, I would like to thank Ave Maria Press and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to review Chasing Humility: 8 Ways to Shape a Christian Heart, before its publication. Joel Stepanek’s book is an excellent walk through the Litany of Humility (presented at the end of the review); an important read in today’s society.
Humility is an oft misunderstood term in the modern day. When we think of being humble, we think of those living in voluntary poverty, like St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Francis of Assisi or of Dorothy Day. Perhaps we think of someone who is annoyingly obsequious. What we don’t often think of are the highly successful people, whose humility is a key aspect of their success. Humility is usually derided and looked at as antithetical to success and happiness when it is truly quite the opposite. So, what does it really mean to be humble?
Chasing Humility answers this question by breaking The Litany of Humility into eight sections. In each section, Stepanek walks though events in his life that tie into the various calls of the litany. In sharing those events and tying them to both the litany and to scripture, he helps focus us on how to define and achieve healthy amounts of humility.
If you, like me have a problem with a lack of humility, you may fight this book. After all, it’s hard to be humble when you’re practically perfect. You will identify with the author more if you have an overabundance of humility. I will, however, tell you that reading through to the end is a worthwhile experience either way. Section eight ties everything together very well and is hard hitting. Don’t jump straight to section eight, it won’t help without the rest of the book.
At the end of each section, Stepanek provides practical exercises to help grow humility. Even if you don’t actively do each exercise, be sure to pause at the end of each section and think over the exercises while focusing on the section just completed.
It may sound like an odd recommendation, but the more you fight this book, the more valuable it will be for you in the end. This seems like it would be a great small group book during Lent. It lends its self very easily to discussion. Recommended.
The Litany of Humility
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…
Amen.
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