This quote came from one of my Catholic Email groups. It really spoke to me this morning, as I fall short.
‘If humble souls are contradicted, they remain calm; if they are calumniated, they suffer with patience; if they are little esteemed, neglected, or forgotten, they consider that their due; if they are weighed down with occupations, they perform them cheerfully.’
St. Vincent de Paul
I strive to do better in my Catholic walk. Unlike the humble soul that keeps silent I speak up. I remember once that someone asked me a question about the horses. I answered the truth and the person kept telling me I was lying. Instead of being quiet and just letting that person have the last word on the subject even though she was wrong I kept on telling the truth. Back and forth it went until her husband stepped in and told his wife that I was telling the truth. I was so grateful that he stepped in.
Yet, wouldn’t the truly humble soul be quiet even if it meant that the truth got lost? Why do I fight for truth with such passion? Why do I value the truth so much?
Yes, there is a time to be silent but isn’t there also a time to speak up and fight for the truth?
Yes, there is a time to be silent but isn’t there also a time when we must rock the boat and fight?
I think of Deborah who was a fighter. Joan of Ark was another fighter who was willing to fight. David fought and overcame the odds and won. Daniel also didn’t back down but stood up for what he knew to be the truth.
When I see myself now and where I was 3 years ago when I left South Carolina I can see that the Lord is working in my life. He isn’t finished with me yet and we are still working. It seems like each year I am working on one area of my life and this year among other things I working to overcome the sin of gluttony.
Sometimes I wonder if I will ever become a humble soul or if I will always be a fighter who fights? I guess my only hope is that God will work to bring me to that place where I am truly humble. With men it is impossible but with God it is possible.
