"You ought to use great caution, even in doing good things. For it may be that, in carrying out some good works, you are seeking only the favor and good graces of men: or the desire of praise may overtake you, and what is done for outward effect, fail of its inward reward."
Pope St. Gregory the Great
For Reflection:
What are two counterfeits of humility mentioned by Pope St. Gregory the Great? To what extent have I fallen victim to them? What one strategy can I employ in the future?
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"When tempted to despair, I have only one resource: to throw myself at the foot of the tabernacle like a little dog at the foot of his master."
St. John Vianney
For Reflection:
How does St. John Vianney recommend we find the grace we need to make it through a trial with right intention, fervency, courage, and trust in God? How much time a week do you spend before the Blessed Sacrament?
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Humility
"Humility is one of the most difficult virtues both to attain and to ascertain. It lies close upon the heart itself, and its tests are exceedingly delicate and subtle. Its counterfeits abound."
Venerable John Henry Newman
For Reflection:
Yesterday's Grace Line gave one counterfeit of the virtue of humility. What might be some other counterfeits?
(See tomorrow's Grace Line for more counterfeits of humility.)
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"Humility does not consist in ignorance of truth. If a man is above the average height of men, he cannot help knowing it."
Cardinal Henry Edward Manning
For Reflection:
Why would it be a lack of humility to deny we have a gift God has given to us? How can we acknowledge the gift without falling into pride?
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"Real excellence and humility are not incompatible one with the other; on the contrary, they are twin sisters."
Jean-Baptiste Lacordaire, O.P.
For Reflection:
What do I think is the relationship between "real excellence" and "humility?" Why are they "twin sisters?
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"Great graces cannot be obtained without humility. When you yourself experience humiliation, you should take it as a sure sign that some great grace is in store."
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
For Reflection:
Considering this quote by St. Bernard of Clairvaux, is it possible that I can begin to praise God for the humiliations I receive? How can I begin to hone the eyes of my soul so that I don't miss the "great grace" that is to come after the humiliation?
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"Jesus invited us to be like Him, humble of heart. But what is humility of the heart? It consists in receiving humiliations from God with a submissive love, in accepting one's state of life and one's duties whatever they are, and in not being ashamed of one's condition."
St. Peter Julian Eymard
For Reflection:
St. Peter Julian Eymard lists three ways we grow in humility of heart. What are they? What humiliations can I embrace today? What one aspect of my state of life or my duties do I find most difficult? How can I use this as a means of growing in humility?
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"Pride makes us forgetful of our eternal interests. It causes us to neglect totally the care of our soul."
St. John Baptist de la Salle
For Reflection:
Think of a prideful person you know. To what extent have you seen this quote to be true? What does this encourage you to do regarding your own spiritual life?
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"Pride is an illusion, a lie and a thief. And since it is a truth of faith that we are nothing, he who esteems himself and thinks that he is someone is a seducer who deceives himself."
St. John Eudes
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"True humility does not make a show of herself or use many humble words; for she desires not only to conceal all other virtues, but most of all to conceal herself."
St. Francis de Sales
For Reflection:
How does the Blessed Virgin Mary exemplify these words?
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