“There is something in humility which strangely exalts the heart.”
–Saint Augustine
Seeking humility and to be humble truly in spirit and action should be the soul’s goal along the Road of Faith. A proud soul, even with a minute speck of pride cannot truly see God. This soul in its even small pride cannot come fully before or into the presence of God.
But how does the soul get to a place in which pride is gone and that the soul rests in the peace of humility? How does the soul ‘know’ it is humble?
When a soul comes to the place that it seeks not it’s own fame…. When the soul does even the smallest acts or thoughts only for God and not itself. This is when the soul finds peace.
I can say vainglory and pride are my root sins. I struggled when I came to my faith again and started doing good things for God. First, I stole His glory for my pat on the back. Then, I would turn back upon a person any praise given me for job well done. False humility – “wow, great talk!” “It wasn’t me, it was God”. Hint hint – it was me.
Now I’m coming to a place of humility on which I can take the praise in thanks, giving glory to Him Who gave me the words and guided my mind and spirit. I know it’s not me nor about me, true humility is when knowing that is enough. The soul doesn’t have to be like the Pharisee and show the accomplishments on the sleeve and in full view. The soul should be like Joseph, humble and invisible but impacting and leading those around him. Seeking to live near the Lord at all times. And, at all times, pointing to the Lord even in his greatness.
“The soul’s true greatness is in loving God and in humbling oneself in His presence, completely forgetting oneself and believing oneself to be nothing; because the Lord is great, but He is well-pleased only with the humble; He always opposes the proud.”
— the Blessed Mother to St Faustina, Divine Mercy in my Soul
“To be taken with love for a soul, God does not look on its greatness, but the greatness of its humility.”
–St John of the Cross, OCD