Posted on June 21, 2024
Catechism Meditation:
“Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.” But when we pray, do we speak from the height of our pride and will, or “out of the depths” of a humble and contrite heart? He who humbles himself will be exalted; humility is the foundation of prayer. ―No. 2559
REFLECTION. Overcoming selfish desires and selfish fears is not enough for the perfection of the virtue of humility. Freedom from these desires and fears is only the bottom line. The upper limit of humility is to grow in the opposite desires and convictions that instead will lead to complete selflessness, enabling you to turn your eyes to the good of others. Therefore, when you overcome selfishness, and grow holy desires in its place, these holy desires transform your character to the greatest degree. The perfection of love is ultimately obtained when all you desire is to love another. And, prior to that, the perfection of humility comes only when all that you desire is humility. Humility is no longer experienced as a struggle to overcome pride; rather, it eventually becomes a great joy and forms the basis of your deepest satisfaction.
St. Augustine said in one of his letters, “The way to Christ is first through humility, second through humility, third through humility” (Letters 118:22). He also said, “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” St. Thomas Aquinas defines it this way: “Humility means seeing ourselves as God sees us: knowing every good we have comes from Him as pure gift” (Summa Q161). It is pride, more than anything that tempts us to see ourselves through the eyes of the world and through the lens of others’ opinions. If you want to see yourself in the light of truth, you must humbly seek to see yourself only as God sees you. His understanding of your soul is all that matters.
PRAYER. Lord, help me to become convinced, with every fiber of my being, that humility is the foundation for a life of holiness and happiness. Soften my heart, purify my desires, and bring light to my mind. Give me the grace I need to choose to embrace the glorious gift of humility.
Timeless Wisdom Quote:
“Humility does not mean a submissiveness, a passiveness, a willingness to be walked on, or a desire to live in the doghouse. Humility is a virtue by which we recognize ourselves as we really are, not as we would like to be in the eyes of the public; not as our press notices say we are, but as we are in the sight of God when we examine our conscience.” ― Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
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