Spirit of Meekness

In a world where achieving 'things' is paramount and rising to the top of the success ladder is applauded, no matter how ruthlessly it was gained or at what cost to the soul. Still many long for the riches and power which the world offers, but this is gained at the expense of the happiness and tranquility we all long for but find impossible to maintain.

In order to find this inner peace and joy we need to embrace a spirit of meekness, but in order to do that we must also understand what meekness essentially is. Many have the mistaken belief that meekness is weakness whereas nothing could be further from the truth. To restrain the worst side of our natures takes a great deal of strength and it is those who have embraced meekness that have also gained control of their tempers and practices self control in all area's of life.

Meekness is also allowing ourselves to listen and hear the indwelling Spirit rather than begin rambling dialogues with God, that is the difference between the meek and a person still driven by it's Egocentric self. For as Peter reminds instructs, "but rather the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and calm disposition, which is precious in the sight of God....Finally, all of you, be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, humble."

A meek person thinks only of Godly things and lays it's confidence in the Goodness of God for Himself alone, and not for what it can acquire, for the meek heart is not driven by the ego but is led on the pathways of peace towards all. This requires strength of character, a strong resolve not to allow itself to leave the Presence of God or become engrossed in worldly pursuits. But neither is meekness an airy fairy way of existing, for those who live the spirit of meekness also practice the corporal works of mercy and a deep prayer life from which it gains its spiritual strength. A meek spirit thinks not of itself or tries to make itself the centre of attention instead it seeks to alleviate the sufferings of those who need a kind word and encouragement to face another day.

Even when unjustly accused the meek of heart pay no heed to rumours or the discontent of others but seeks instead to offer up their pains and sufferings for others, as St. Therese said to a fellow Sister, "Why should we defend ourselves when we are misunderstood and misjudged? Let us leave that aside. Let us not say anything. It is so sweet to let others judge us in any way they like. O blessed silence, which gives so much peace to the soul!" We only become discontented and offended when we have placed worldly considerations on what others may think of us instead of maintaining our peace if our conscience is clear before God.

It is when we submit in all obedience to God that the sting of others opinion loses its ability to hurt or affect our peace of heart, for a heart that is easily offended is a soul still struggling with pride and fearful of the opinions of its contemporaries. Indeed at times those who see a meek spirit will attempt to disturb it by false allegations as St. Francis de Sales instructs us with these words, "As soon as worldly people see that you wish to follow a devout life they aim a thousand darts of mockery and even detraction at you. The most malicious of them will slander your conversion as hypocrisy, bigotry, and trickery. They will say that the world has turned against you and being rebuffed by it you have turned to God. Your friends will raise a host of objections which they consider very prudent and charitable. They will tell you that you will become depressed, lose your reputation in the world, be unbearable, and grow old before your time, and that your affairs at home will suffer. You must live in the world like one in the world. They will say that you can save your soul without going to such extremes, and a thousand similar trivialities...It is true, that if we are ready to laugh, play cards, or dance with the world in order to please it, it will be scandalized at us, and if we don't, it will accuse us of hypocrisy or melancholy."

Meekness is not an attribute greatly esteemed in the world in that one becomes less SELF focused and more God centred as it serves our Lord by serving others with love and also respect. When we live to serve God we let go of our need to please people in order to gain their praises which is a form of pride, we instead serve people for love of God, that is the deciding difference which lay at our motivations.

God can see into our hearts and knows for what reasons we do things so if the motivating force is the approval and praise of man God then distances Himself as the soul loses it's focus on God and becomes self absorbed. If the soul is attentive to our Lord it will notice the distance and through prayer and the Sacraments of the Church, their relationship with God will be restored, through God's Grace.

For the meek of heart know that in and of itself it has nothing to offer apart from what it has received from God, for all is Gift. For as Scripture reminds us, "If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. each looking out not for his own interests, but (also) everyone for those of others."

It is obvious to become truly meek takes great strength but also a great deal of self control to maintain its central focus on God and not itself and worldly distractions. And though at times many will fail, God has given us the Sacraments to give us the fortitude to persevere and grow in our relationship with Him.

The person who lives in meekness is in direct contrast to those who have embraced the worldly way. For the worldly way seeks to satisfy self at any opportunity and at any price as they focus on their self importance and impose their self will onto others who are weaker than themselves, that is not love, it is manipulation.

A meek heart simply acknowledges it's littleness to the Living God and with self knowledge accredits all its good thoughts, intentions and deeds to the Almighty who is the Source of Love and Wisdom. And by a life of prayer and study of the Scriptures it grows in love as God teaches the soul its own nothingness, and then raises the soul to Himself not because it is worthy but because God is Love and all Powerful.

We also learn from our great Saints who lived humble and meek lives totally given over to God, in the words of St. Therese, "I prefer to be accused unjustly, for then I have nothing to reproach myself with, and joyfully offer this to the good Lord. Then I humble myself at the thought that I am indeed capable of doing the thing of which I have been accused." This great Saint even though so very young understood that if it were not for God's guidance she would be capable of many great offences but it is God Himself who saves her from herself.

A meek heart seeks after God and lives to do the Will of the Father as did our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.