Meditation for May 8, Self-Disparagement

Not without reason has someone counseled: "Never speak evil of yourself"; adding ironically, "Others will take care of that."

The advice is good, even if the motive is more amusing than conclusive.

Don't speak evil of yourself. Why? - Not only is it useless, in view of the clear sightedness - or ill-will - of others; but it may also be harmful: harmful sometimes to one's field of activity, harm­ful to the virtues one desires to practice.

The best reputation is not too good to accomplish well what God demands; it is useless then to insist upon defects more or less real; if they are real, be quiet about them, others will see them; if they are imaginary or exaggerated, what is the use of misrepresenting the truth?

But, some will say, to accuse oneself is virtuous.

Is that not often a manifestation of vanity? Some abase them­selves just to see their humility admired. Is it humility to want others to consider you humble?

We want none of that which some have called humility with a hook.

"O Mary, in this month which is especially dedicated to you, teach me your great virtues and particularly humility. Your servant, St. Francis de Sales, said that 'humility is like the chain of a rosary whose beads consist of other virtues.' Well, if the beads of virtues are very snall, grant that at least the chain which holds and links them may be of strong, unbreakable metal."

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Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)