“I knew nothing; I was nothing. For this reason God picked me out.”
St. Catherine Laboure
For Reflection:
Read 1 Corinthians 1:28- 29. How do St. Catherine’s words reflect this passage from Scripture? How have I seen this to be true in my own life?
“What was the life of Christ but a perpetual humiliation?”
St. Vincent de Paul
For Reflection:
How does this quote help me to suffer my humiliations in a more Christ-like way?
Do you wish to rise?
Begin by descending.
You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds?
Lay first the foundation of humility.
It was pride that changed angels into devils;
it is humility that makes men as angels.
St. Augustine
For Reflection:
What opportunities has the Lord given me in the last week to lay the “foundation of humility” in my life? Did I see these opportunities as such when they were given me? Can I cooperate with grace to see them as such now?
Do you wish to rise?
Begin by descending.
You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds?
Lay first the foundation of humility.
It was pride that changed angels into devils;
it is humility that makes men as angels.
St. Augustine
For Reflection:
What opportunities has the Lord given me in the last week to lay the “foundation of humility” in my life? Did I see these opportunities as such when they were given me? Can I cooperate with grace to see them as such now?
“What will be the crown of those who, humble within and humiliated without, have imitated the humility of our Savior in all its fullness!
St. Bernadette
For Reflection:
In this quote, St. Bernadette reveals to us the way in which humility comes “packaged.” What is it? What is the connection between it and becoming “humble within?”
“If I love Jesus, I ought to resemble Him. If I love Jesus, I ought to love what He loves, what He prefers to all else: humility.”
St. Peter Julian Eymard
For Reflection:
How does Jesus show us that He prefers humility to all else? Does my desire for humility reflect my love of Jesus?
“You’re not humbled when you humble yourself, but when you are humbled by others and you bear it for Christ.”
St. Josemaria Escriva
For Reflection:
Is God currently offering me an opportunity to grow in humility through others? What does St. Josemaria Escriva recommend so that I might mine the grace being offered me?
“The day you see yourself as you are, you will think it natural to be despised by others.”
St. Josemaria Escriva
For Reflection:
To what extent do I see myself as I am – not embellishing my weaknesses nor excusing them either. How would both of these extremes be a false humility?
“You ought to use great caution, even in doing good things. For it may be that, in carrying out some good works, you are seeking only the favor and good graces of men: or the desire of praise may overtake you, and what is done for outward effect, fail of its inward reward.”
Pope St. Gregory the Great
For Reflection:
What are two counterfeits of humility mentioned by Pope St. Gregory the Great? To what extent have I fallen victim to them? What one strategy can I employ in the future?
“When tempted to despair, I have only one resource: to throw myself at the foot of the tabernacle like a little dog at the foot of his master.”
St. John Vianney
For Reflection:
How does St. John Vianney recommend we find the grace we need to make it through a trial with right intention, fervency, courage, and trust in God? How much time a week do you spend before the Blessed Sacrament?
