"God always gives a greater blessing to humble beginnings than to those that start with the chiming of bells."
St. Vincent de Paul
For Reflection:
Thank you, St. Vincent de Paul. You have helped me to see better the value of that which I see as so small and so insignificant! Lord, I give you all my "humble beginnings," all of my "small starts." Do with them what You will. Amen.
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"Everyone that exalteth himself shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
Galatians 2:20
For Reflection:
In my own life, what instances can I recall where I was toppled by my own pride? What instances can I recall when I was "exalted" when I least expected it? How can I use these experiences to grow in humility?
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"I knew nothing; I was nothing. For this reason God picked me out."
St. Catherine Laboure
For Reflection:
Read 1 Corinthians 1:28- 29. How do St. Catherine's words reflect this passage from Scripture? How have I seen this to be true in my own life?
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"What was the life of Christ but a perpetual humiliation?"
St. Vincent de Paul
For Reflection:
How does this quote help me to suffer my humiliations in a more Christ-like way?
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Do you wish to rise?
Begin by descending.
You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds?
Lay first the foundation of humility.
It was pride that changed angels into devils;
it is humility that makes men as angels.
St. Augustine
For Reflection:
What opportunities has the Lord given me in the last week to lay the "foundation of humility" in my life? Did I see these opportunities as such when they were given me? Can I cooperate with grace to see them as such now?
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Do you wish to rise?
Begin by descending.
You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds?
Lay first the foundation of humility.
It was pride that changed angels into devils;
it is humility that makes men as angels.
St. Augustine
For Reflection:
What opportunities has the Lord given me in the last week to lay the "foundation of humility" in my life? Did I see these opportunities as such when they were given me? Can I cooperate with grace to see them as such now?
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"What will be the crown of those who, humble within and humiliated without, have imitated the humility of our Savior in all its fullness!
St. Bernadette
For Reflection:
In this quote, St. Bernadette reveals to us the way in which humility comes "packaged." What is it? What is the connection between it and becoming "humble within?"
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"If I love Jesus, I ought to resemble Him. If I love Jesus, I ought to love what He loves, what He prefers to all else: humility."
St. Peter Julian Eymard
For Reflection:
How does Jesus show us that He prefers humility to all else? Does my desire for humility reflect my love of Jesus?
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"You're not humbled when you humble yourself, but when you are humbled by others and you bear it for Christ."
St. Josemaria Escriva
For Reflection:
Is God currently offering me an opportunity to grow in humility through others? What does St. Josemaria Escriva recommend so that I might mine the grace being offered me?
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"The day you see yourself as you are, you will think it natural to be despised by others."
St. Josemaria Escriva
For Reflection:
To what extent do I see myself as I am - not embellishing my weaknesses nor excusing them either. How would both of these extremes be a false humility?
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