Meekness
Learn of Me that I am meek and humble of heart. St. Matt. 11:29.
FIRST DAY.
Meekness is a rarer virtue than charity; it is more excellent than this or any other virtue, being the fullness of charity, which is in its perfection when it is meek and beneficent. We must then have a great esteem for meekness and labor to acquire it. — St. Francis of Sales.
This saint spoke frequently of meekness, and it was plainly evident that this was his most cherished virtue. It shone in his face, his words, his gestures, and his actions. The eulogy which the Holy Ghost gave to Moses might be applied to him — that he was the meekest man of his time. St. Jane Frances said of him that no one ever saw a heart so sweet, so good, so affable, so gracious as his. The first time that St. Vincent de Paul saw St. Francis of Sales he thought, from the serenity of his face and his manner of conversation, he saw in him an image of the sweetness of Our Saviour Jesus Christ. His presence alone won hearts.
Prayer.
My God, grant that sweetness may mark my exterior, my words and works. Grant that by meekness I may become a copy of Jesus, my Master and model.