Humility
“Humility is one of the most difficult virtues both to attain and to ascertain. It lies close upon the heart itself, and its tests are exceedingly delicate and subtle. Its counterfeits abound.”
Venerable John Henry Newman
For Reflection:
Yesterday’s Grace Line gave one counterfeit of the virtue of humility. What might be some other counterfeits?
(See tomorrow’s Grace Line for more counterfeits of humility.)
“Humility does not consist in ignorance of truth. If a man is above the average height of men, he cannot help knowing it.”
Cardinal Henry Edward Manning
For Reflection:
Why would it be a lack of humility to deny we have a gift God has given to us? How can we acknowledge the gift without falling into pride?
“Real excellence and humility are not incompatible one with the other; on the contrary, they are twin sisters.”
Jean-Baptiste Lacordaire, O.P.
For Reflection:
What do I think is the relationship between “real excellence” and “humility?” Why are they “twin sisters?
“Great graces cannot be obtained without humility. When you yourself experience humiliation, you should take it as a sure sign that some great grace is in store.”
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
For Reflection:
Considering this quote by St. Bernard of Clairvaux, is it possible that I can begin to praise God for the humiliations I receive? How can I begin to hone the eyes of my soul so that I don’t miss the “great grace” that is to come after the humiliation?
“Jesus invited us to be like Him, humble of heart. But what is humility of the heart? It consists in receiving humiliations from God with a submissive love, in accepting one’s state of life and one’s duties whatever they are, and in not being ashamed of one’s condition.”
St. Peter Julian Eymard
For Reflection:
St. Peter Julian Eymard lists three ways we grow in humility of heart. What are they? What humiliations can I embrace today? What one aspect of my state of life or my duties do I find most difficult? How can I use this as a means of growing in humility?
“Pride makes us forgetful of our eternal interests. It causes us to neglect totally the care of our soul.”
St. John Baptist de la Salle
For Reflection:
Think of a prideful person you know. To what extent have you seen this quote to be true? What does this encourage you to do regarding your own spiritual life?
“Pride is an illusion, a lie and a thief. And since it is a truth of faith that we are nothing, he who esteems himself and thinks that he is someone is a seducer who deceives himself.”
St. John Eudes
“True humility does not make a show of herself or use many humble words; for she desires not only to conceal all other virtues, but most of all to conceal herself.”
St. Francis de Sales
For Reflection:
How does the Blessed Virgin Mary exemplify these words?
“We must never glance at what is good in ourselves, much less ponder over it, but we should search out what is wrong and what is lacking. This is an excellent way of remaining humble.”
St. Vincent de Paul
For Reflection:
How does pondering the good in ourselves jeopardize the virtue of humility? How can discovering the wrong in ourselves or that which is lacking be a jumpstart for growing in virtue? Where do you need to begin?Â
“The gate of Heaven is very low; only the humble can enter it.”
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
For Reflection:
Would I fit under the gate of Heaven? What about me would make it most difficult?
