❀ ❀ ❀
We read in St. Matthew’s gospel: “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?” They asked this from no pure intention, but from ambition, in a proud and arrogant frame of mind. What did Jesus do? He sought, in the gentlest manner, to point out to them the perversity of their hearts, and to lead them to a better mind. He took a child, placed it in their midst, and said: “Amen, I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Thus He showed the ambitious disciples that unless they renounced their pride and haughtiness, and became humble and lowly like little children, they could never be saved, they could never hope to enjoy eternal happiness in heaven. The doctrine taught by Our Lord was intended not only for those who were at that time His disciples, but for all Christians, and for all young girls more especially. It ever has been, and ever will be true, that humility is essential to salvation. Let us consider the subject somewhat more in detail.
Without humility you can be no disciple and follower of Him who said: “Learn of Me because I am meek and humble of heart.”
Again, without humility other virtues cannot last, according to the warning of St. Augustine: “If you desire to erect a spiritual edifice see that you lay the foundation in humility” Furthermore, without humility it is impossible for you to withstand the temptations and avoid the snares of the great enemy of souls.
Without humility you cannot gain the favor of God, nor obtain the pardon of your sins and a favorable hearing for your prayers. For we read in Holy Scripture: “A contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” And again: “The prayer of him that humbleth himself shall pierce the clouds.”
Without humility your mind will not be enlightened to understand the things of God, for again we can quote the words of Scripture: “Where humility is, there also is wisdom.” And Our Lord said: “I confess to Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones.” Without humility it is not possible that the Holy Spirit should dwell in our hearts, as Scripture testifies in the following words: “To whom shall I have respect but to him that is poor and little, and of a contrite spirit?” Finally, without humility we can never be exalted in heaven, as Our Lord assures us: “Unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. And in another place: “He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
Humility is essential to salvation! This is all the more true because where humility is wanting pride and haughtiness are certain to be found, and they lead to hell. It was pride which cast the fallen angels down to hell. It was secret pride which was the cause of the first transgression, the sin of our first parents. For we are told in Holy Writ that the devil took the form of a serpent and in this form said to Eve: “No, you shall not die the death. In what day soever you shall eat of the forbidden fruit your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Gen. 3:4, 5.)
In a precisely similar manner does the evil enemy act at present; more particularly in regard to those young persons who are happy enough to be living in the paradise of innocence. He attacks the obedient and promising daughter on her weak side—he flatters her vanity. He addresses her somewhat after the following fashion: “You are no child now! Do not take everything so literally that your parents and the priests see fit to tell you! Things are not what they represent them to be; they do not understand life at the present day; they want to cut things according to the old pattern! You just let them talk, and go your own way! Then your eyes will be opened and you will see how much wiser it is to drink copious draughts of the pleasures of youth than to steer your course according to the advice of crabbed old persons. If there really is an eternity, if hell does really exist, you can turn over a new leaf later on; old age is the time to do this and it will come upon you quite soon enough.”
Insinuations like these arouse and feed the vanity which lurks in the heart of every girl. She believes them, prides herself on her talent, her mental and physical endowments, begins to despise, or even to mock at and deride the affectionate warnings of her parents and confessor. She no longer seeks to avoid the dangers which threaten her soul, but, heedless of admonitions, plunges headlong into the vortex of worldly pleasures and amusements, imagining herself to be sufficiently old and experienced to know how far she can go with safety. She falls into grievous transgressions and does not avoid occasions of sin, but in her blindness regards all this as of no consequence.
When the storms of passion sweep over her, when the magic enchantments, the temptations and attractions of the world lay hold upon her heart, and she perhaps neglects prayer and the sacraments, what alas! is to become of her? Unless the merciful hand of God interposes to arrest her downward course, pride and vanity will hurry her along the road whose end is destruction. My dear child in Jesus Christ! beware of this poisonous plant of pride; tear it up from your heart root and branch, plant and cultivate in its stead the violet of humility!
It must, however, be the genuine flower, true humility. A lady once said to the celebrated preacher, Father Abraham of Santa Clara, with every appearance of profound humility: “Alas, Father, I am the greatest sinner on God’s earth!” Father Abraham, being thoroughly acquainted with human nature, replied with a roguish smile: “My good lady, I am quite ready to believe that you are a sinner of the blackest dye; but do not despair, the mercy of God is infinite; He pardoned the thief upon the cross.” This answer acted like a douche of cold water on the pharisaical humility of the lady. She expected some complimentary language, and, finding herself disappointed, she gave free vent to her annoyance, exclaiming: “What do you mean? What do you take me for? Who is there who can bring anything against me?”
Let not your humility be of this pharisaical nature, but let your modest little flower exhale the sweet perfume of the real violet. The Christian maiden possesses true, genuine humility if she never boasts of her talents and virtues, nor even secretly prides herself upon them; if she acquits herself faithfully to her duties without regard to any praise or recognition which may be bestowed upon her; if she does not aim at attracting notice; if, when she meets with reproofs which are undeserved, she either modestly explains herself, or, what is still better, says to herself that if the reprimand was not deserved this time it was upon other unpunished occasions; finally, if, when her parents, teachers, or confessors give her well-meant advice, she does not regard their warnings as exaggerated or too severe, but receives them in a childlike spirit, and does her utmost to carry them into practice.
Let this true, genuine humility be yours, and persevere in the exercise of it, in order that you may be happy both in this world and in that which is to come. Remember that if you desire to practice humility, or indeed any other virtue, you must deny yourself.
Master thyself; subdue thy passion’s might,
Strive valiantly and conquer in the fight;
And know, unless the victory thou gain,
The bliss of heaven thou canst not obtain.