Chapter V
Love does not put on Airs

Chapter V
Love does not put on Airs

by Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Proud persons are like balloons filled with air. They act important but, in reality, they are nothing more than hot air which escapes as soon as the balloon is pierced. Those who love God are humble and are not deceived by their own qualities because they know that whatever they possess is a gift of God. They realize that without God, they are only nothingness and sin. This awareness of the divine action humbles them even more and it makes them mindful of being unworthy and yet favored by God.

Two basics are essential to the stability of a house: the foundation and the roof. Our spiritual foundation consists of humility as it recognizes our own unworthiness; and the spiritual roof is the assistance of God, in which we place all our confidence.

Extraordinary blessings from God call for added humility on our part. When Saint Teresa received any special favor, she called to mind all the faults she had ever committed, and because of this the Lord drew her into even closer union with Himself. The more we admit our unworthiness in the eyes of the Lord, the more He enriches us with His graces. A single act of humility is worth more than all the wealth of the universe.

If we hope to persevere in God's grace until death, we must place our confidence in God alone. The proud fall because they rely on their own strength; but the humble, by placing all their trust in God alone, stand firm and do not fall because they continually remind themselves: "I can do all these things in Him Who strengtheneth me" - Philippians 4:13. We should continually, even to the very last moments of our lives, question our own strength and place all our confidence in God, always begging Him to give us humility.

But in order to be humble, it is not enough to have a low opinion of ourselves and to consider ourselves the miserable beings that we really are. Those who consider themselves the greatest sinners in the world, and then are angry when others despise them, clearly do not show humility of the heart. "Learn of Me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls" - Matthew 11:29. Saint Thomas Aquinas tells us that persons who resent being slighted can be certain that they are very far from sanctity, even if they work miracles.

It is impossible for us not to accept contempt if we love Jesus Christ, and see how He suffered in His Passion. This is why our Redeemer wants us to keep His image present on our altars, not in the glory of the Resurrection, but in the ignominy of the Cross. It is this sight that makes the saints rejoice at being held in contempt by the world.

False Humility

If certain persons - pretending to live spiritually - pray, communicate frequently, fast and practice mortification, and yet refuse to put up with a cutting word, of what is this an indication? It is a sign that they are without humility and without virtue.

What scandal it is to see people who communicate frequently, and yet appear to resent every little unkind remark made about them! Picture, on the other hand, the good that is accomplished by those who answer with kindness to unkind remarks. The Lord proves the worth of His faithful servants by trials of this kind to see if they have learned to overcome themselves and to keep their peace. Nature, indeed, will sometimes rebel, but therein lies the merit.

True Humility

Those who are really humble never think that they are humiliated as much as they deserve. Those who share this disposition are called "blessed" by Jesus Christ, rather than those who are honored in this world and are praised as learned and powerful. This honor is reserved for those who are persecuted and reviled, because their reward will be great in Heaven (see Matthew 5:11-12).

Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for My sake. Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in Heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you. - (Matthew 5:11-12)

A good opportunity for practicing humility is offered us when we are corrected for some fault. Certain persons are like porcupines: They seem calm as long as they are untouched, but no sooner does someone touch them with a remark about something they have not done well, and instantly they become all needles! They answer heatedly that such is not the case. They behave like persons who scream at a surgeon who causes them pain, while treating their wound.

When truly humble persons are corrected for their faults, says Saint John Chrysostom, they show sincere sorrow. When proud persons receive correction, they also show sorrow, but they grieve only because their faults have been detected.

Saint Teresa tells us that sometimes we make more progress by resisting the impulse to excuse ourselves, than by listening to ten sermons, because by not excusing ourselves we exercise freedom of spirit, heedless of what the world thinks of us.

Prayer

Incarnate Word, I beg You by the merits of Your holy humility to deliver me from all pride, and grant me a share of Your humility. What right have I to complain of any insult that is offered me, when I have deserved condemnation so often?

Jesus, by the merits of all the scorn and insults that You endured in Your Passion, give me the grace to live and die humbled for Your sake. For Your love I would willingly be despised and rejected by the whole world. But without You I can do nothing.

I love You and I hope, through You, to fulfill my desire of suffering everything for You: insults, betrayal, dryness, and desolation. Do not forsake me.

Enkindle in me the desire to please You. Give me fervor in loving You. Grant me peace of mind in suffering for You. Give me resignation in all contradiction. Have mercy on me. I deserve nothing, but I place all my hopes in You.

I also place all my trust in you, my Queen and my Mother Mary, because you are the refuge of sinners.

Amen