What's wrong with meekness?  Is the meek man a Milquetoast (unassertive person) who is too spineless and weak-kneed to face up to the battle of life?  This is the false face of meekness spread by our TV and modern novels.  Life to them is an "asphalt jungle" where every difference is settled by a six-gun or a pair of fists.  Strength is equated with violence and brutality.

Nothing could be further from the truth.  The meek man has the courage of the martyrs, the reverence of the poet, and the patience of a saint in his make-up.  Meekness is the son of self-conquest and father of self-control.  The meek man has studied hard in the school of Christ Crucified, who was meek and humble of heart.

You don't really need a show of force, or external bluster, or a display of self-righteousness to overwhelm those who do you wrong.  You must overcome your enemies with the force of the divine life that flows in and through you.  You must conquer the world and your enemies with the love of Christ.

Have you noticed that the most excessive demands always seem  to be made on you when you're at your physical or nervous worst?  Remember that our Lord rebuked His apostles for trying to spare Him from the thoughtless crowds that pressed about Him following and exhausting apostolic day: "Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not," He commanded them.

What do you do when insulted or rejected by otherwise good people?  Perhaps even by those you love?  Recall what Christ said to the Apostles who wanted to rain down fires from heaven on the cities that refused Him entrance.  He warned them that they knew not of what spirit they were. (Luke 19:55).

What happens when a trusted confidant or friend betrays you in speech or action?  Peter, who swore he would go to the death with the Savior, betrayed Him in His hour of greatest need.  Yet Christ's only rebuke was a look of infinite tenderness and meek forgiveness.  Was it any wonder that this look brought tears of immediate repentance?

The truth is that, even a little meekness takes a lot of strength.  Now, more than ever, the world filled with so much violence needs truly meek men.  The times call for the manliness of meekness more than the false courage of violence and uncontrolled anger.  We need the self-conquest of meekness more than the self centeredness of hate and brutality.  We need the meekness and humility of Christ.

Helps to Meekness:

1. Reverence every person, regardless of race, color of skin, or religious background, as a child of God and a potential saint.

2. Compassionate with your healing strength the weaknesses and faults of others no matter how vicious and mean.  Begin at home, remembering that no once can hurt you when you are truly meek.

3. When your best efforts are unappreciated, or your wise counsel is ignored, go your way in peace.  Prayer is another tool of meekness that heals and wins souls after words and actions have failed.

Finally, pray for the courage to be meek.  And remember that there's no victory that is sweeter than the conquest of self!  May God bless you abundantly!

~Father Kilian McGowan, C.P.~