ST. JOSEMARIA: HUMILITY IS NECESSARY FOR THE GROWTH OF GOD’S GRACE IN US.
Humility is needed if grace is to make us grow and be effective.
“Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of
heart…” The humility of Jesus!… What a lesson for you who are a poor earthenware
vessel. He – always merciful – has raised you up, and made the light of the sun
of grace shine upon your baseness, which has now been freely exalted. And you,
how often you have covered your pride under a cloak of dignity or justice…!
And how many chances to learn from the Master you have wasted by not knowing
how to supernaturalize them! St Bernard exhorts us not to allow such a
precious example to go for nothing.
Only through humility can we produce lasting fruits. I
read in an old spiritual book, St. Josemaria told us, that trees that
have very high, upstanding branches do not have much fruit. On the other hand,
trees with low, fallen branches, are full of rich, delicious fruit. And the
closer they are to the ground, the more abundant the fruit is. My children, ask
for humility which is such a precious virtue. Why are we so foolish? We are
always so convinced that our way is the best and always sure that we are right.
The soul soaks up vanity and pride like a lump of sugar soaking up water. If
you want to be happy, be humble. Reject the deceitful insinuations of the devil
when he suggests that you are so wonderful. You and I have understood that,
unfortunately, we amount to very little. But when we take our Lord into
account, it’s another story. We owe him everything.
I am certain that the Holy Spirit will sometimes let you
see that you are producing good fruit, as a pledge of the reward that is in
store for your loyalty. That is the moment to say: “Lord, it is indeed
certain that in spite of my wretchedness, you have managed to grow fruit in the
midst of so great a wilderness. Thank you. Deo gratias!” (Thanks be to
God!)
But at other moments it might be the devil, who is never
on vacation, who will come to tempt you to attribute to yourself merits which
are not really yours. When you realize that your thoughts and desires, your
words and actions and your work are filled with a vain self-complacency, a
foolish pride, you must tell the devil: “I have indeed borne fruit, Deo
gratias!” (Thanks be to God!) …
We must cherish no other desire than that of clinging to God, in constant praise and glorification of his name, helping him in his divine work of Redemption. Then, our greatest desire will be to teach others to know Jesus Christ, and through Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit. And we know that we reach Jesus through Mary, and through keeping close to St Joseph and our Holy Guardian Angels.
Excerpt from the “Book of Meditations” (private collection).
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