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We are to "let it appear." We do not make meekness appear; we let it appear. When humility is within us, meekness only needs to be resigned to in outer deportment.
Some specifics of humbleness in St. Benedict's Rule might seem extreme to us. And apparent humbleness can be a veiled show of the ego self: for the old nature will as gladly impress with piety as impiety~to impress other persons, God, and ourselves.
Be humble, but do not call attention to your humbleness. Meekness calls attention to itself, not you. Humility is to witness of Christ, not us. Do not take any credit for meekness, for left to ourselves, you and I would be filled with charlatan pridefulness. We would be unable either to amputate or transform it. Such hubris would taint our every and most sincere effort at virtue and graciousness.
Suggested Reflection
Who has best modeled for you humblenss? What are qualities of the person that impress you as traits of true meekness?
See next page for details on OneLife Ministries, Brian's book An Ache for Union, and material pertaining to sources used in the writing.
Feel free to submit a query. Thanks! Brian K. Wilcox
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