Humility
“He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” — St. Luke 14:11
TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY.
One of the best means to acquire humility is profoundly to engrave in our minds this maxim: Each one is really only what he is in the eyes of God, nothing more. — Thomas à Kempis.
St. Francis of Sales had meditated well upon this salutary maxim; hence the remarkable tranquility observed in him, no matter what the opinion of others respecting him might be. Having been calumniated, he said: “If it pleased God, I would wish that my innocence be never known, even at the universal judgment, but that it be eternally buried among the secrets of eternal wisdom.” Again he said: “If with the help of God I have done any good works, or if God has made use of me to do anything for Him, I would be well satisfied if, at the day of judgment, when the secrets of hearts shall be made manifest, my justice be seen by God alone, and my injustices be perceived by all creatures.”
Prayer.
My God, I renounce pride, self-love, vanity, desire of the esteem and love of creatures. Give me a profound humility of heart and mind. I will make use of every occasion to practice humility.