Focusing On Fundamentals During Advent: Humility - Part 4
We continue our focus on fundamentals during Advent. Again, we'll ask
Fr. Joseph Schryvers, C.SS.R. (1876-1945), whose work we've
quoted many times in the past, to help us better understand the
importance of the virtue of humility after a few comments about how our
work and
our relationships at work will improve as we develop the virtue of
humility.
If you pursue excellence in your work, you likely (or should) have your sights set on high standards to which you can compare yourself. Sometimes these are found in a standard set by others. For example, a salesman seeks to meet and exceed certain quotas. Sometimes we look at others who have succeeded in a manner to which we aspire. Sometimes, we set our own "gold standard" that keeps us on our toes throughout the day.
In addition to standards that measure our success on the job, we should have behavioral standards. How do we treat those with whom or for whom we work? How do we treat our employees, or those we supervise or manage? Does our standard contain charity as its primary component?
While we hold ourselves to a high standard in our work, for some reason many of us don't do the same in our spiritual lives. Instead of seeking to be saints, we settle for second best. We find every possible reason to explain our failings, even excuse our sins. Let's read Father Schryvers description of the sort of attitude we need, the kinds of standards to which we should aspire. Naturally, the examples he provides are those of the saints. Aren't they in fact that "gold standard" to which we should compare ourselves?
If you pursue excellence in your work, you likely (or should) have your sights set on high standards to which you can compare yourself. Sometimes these are found in a standard set by others. For example, a salesman seeks to meet and exceed certain quotas. Sometimes we look at others who have succeeded in a manner to which we aspire. Sometimes, we set our own "gold standard" that keeps us on our toes throughout the day.
In addition to standards that measure our success on the job, we should have behavioral standards. How do we treat those with whom or for whom we work? How do we treat our employees, or those we supervise or manage? Does our standard contain charity as its primary component?
While we hold ourselves to a high standard in our work, for some reason many of us don't do the same in our spiritual lives. Instead of seeking to be saints, we settle for second best. We find every possible reason to explain our failings, even excuse our sins. Let's read Father Schryvers description of the sort of attitude we need, the kinds of standards to which we should aspire. Naturally, the examples he provides are those of the saints. Aren't they in fact that "gold standard" to which we should compare ourselves?
“The saints, at the sight of their miseries, had strange fears. St. Vincent de Paul was surprised that the Almighty did not destroy the towns through which he passed. St. Alphonsus believed himself the cause of all the persecutions which were leveled against his Congregation. St. Louis Bertrand counted himself the most abominable sinner the earth ever produced. And we, by way of excuse, soothe ourselves by saying: ‘Ah! But these were saints!’ But did the saints exaggerate? Were they objects of pity? Might it not well be that we are stone blind, while they saw with eyes lighted by the Eternal Truth? Unless pride blinds our eyes, we cannot but see that all human beings are infinitely miserable and sinful. We should understand in a practical way that from every point of view as creatures, we depend on God for everything – our essence, our existence, and our conservation, together with all the conditions of our development. We should keep before us our innumerable transgressions, doubled in gravity by their ingratitude and frequent relapse. We should also realize our present actual shortcomings, attachments, cowardice, fickleness, peevishness and vexation.
“Oh, Jesus! How perverse we are, and how little we suspect it! Have mercy on me, Good Master, for I am afraid of the vice of pride. I want to be of the number of those who are meek and humble of heart. Make my heart like Yours. But our Good Master knows full well the clay of which we are formed, and the foolish pretensions of our fallen nature. He is satisfied and He loves us when He sees us perplexed at the sight of our misery, and, in spite of it, ever full of confidence in His goodness and resolved to acquire humility at any cost, for ‘God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble.’ (James 4:6)”Don't sell yourself short. Go for the gold in your spiritual life just as you do in your work.
Divine Infant of Bethlehem, come and take birth in our hearts.
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