Meditation for the month of February: Humility. Image: “Christ washing Peter’s feet,” by Ford Madox Brown (1821-1893). (DeAgostini Picture Library / Getty Images)

Humility – Nineteenth Day of February

Humility

He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” — St. Luke 14:11

NINETEENTH DAY.

One who is humble, when he receives humiliations, humbles himself still more; when he is covered with contempt, rejoices that he is despised; when he is given an occupation that is low and abject, acknowledges that it is better than he deserves, and performs it with pleasure; he flees only those places that are distinguished and honorable. — St. Jane Frances.

A gentleman on one occasion being very angry with St. Vincent de Paul, in his fury said something rude and insulting. The saint immediately threw himself at his feet, begged his pardon for perhaps giving him occasion to speak in such a manner.

A certain person, who was a leader in one of those errors which excited much discussion in the last century, propose these false maxims to the same saint for adoption. Finding he could not succeed, he endeavored to injure him, called him ignorant, and said he was astonished the congregation had chosen him for superior-general. “I am still more astonished than you are,” replied the saint. “I am incomparably more ignorant than you can imagine.”

Prayer.

Make me humble, Lord, that I may rejoice when I am insulted and despised. My Saviour would be covered with shame; why should not His disciples love contempt?

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