Spirit of Meekness

We live in a world where achieving 'things' is paramount and rising to the top of the success ladder is applauded, no matter how ruthlessly it was gained or at what cost to the soul. Still many long for the riches and power which the world offers, but this is gained at the expense of the happiness and tranquility we all long for but find impossible to maintain.

In order to find this inner peace and joy we need to embrace a spirit of meekness, but in order to do that we must also understand what meekness essentially is. Many have the mistaken belief that meekness is weakness whereas nothing could be further from the truth. To restrain the worst side of our natures takes a great deal of strength and it is those who have embraced meekness that have also gained control of their tempers and practices self control in all area's of life.

Meekness is also allowing ourselves to listen and hear the indwelling Spirit rather than begin rambling dialogues with God. That is the difference between the meek and a person still driven by it's Egocentric self.

A meek person thinks only of Godly things and lays it's confidence in the Goodness of God for Himself alone, and not for what it can acquire for itself. For the meek heart is not driven by the ego but is led on the pathways of peace towards all. This requires strength of character, a strong resolve not to allow itself to leave the Presence of God or become engrossed in worldly pursuits. But neither is meekness an airy fairy way of existing, for those who live the spirit of meekness also practice the corporal works of mercy and a deep prayer life from which it gains its spiritual strength. A meek spirit thinks not of itself or tries to make itself the centre of attention instead it seeks to alleviate the sufferings of those who need a kind word and encouragement to face another day.

Even when unjustly accused the meek of heart pay no heed to rumours or the discontent of others but seeks instead to offer up their pains and sufferings for others. In the knowledge that we only become discontented and offended when we have placed worldly considerations on what others may think of us instead of maintaining our peace if our conscience is clear before God.

It is when we submit in all obedience to God that the sting of adverse opinion loses its ability to hurt or affect our peace of heart. We learn that a heart that is easily offended is a soul still struggling with pride and fearful of the opinions of its contemporaries. Indeed at times those who see a meek spirit will attempt to disturb it by false allegations and innuendo.

When we live to serve God we let go of our need to please people in order to gain their praises which is a form of pride. We instead serve people for love of God, that is the deciding difference which lay at the heart of our motivations.

God can see into our hearts and knows for what reasons we do things. So if the motivating force is the approval and praise of man God then distances Himself as the soul loses it's focus on God and becomes self absorbed. If the soul is attentive to our Lord it will notice the distance and through prayer and the Sacraments of the Church, their relationship with God will be restored, through God's Grace. For the meek of heart know that in and of itself it has nothing to offer apart from what it has received from God, for all is Gift.

The person who lives in meekness is in direct contrast to those who have embraced the worldly way. For the worldly way seeks to satisfy self at any opportunity and at any price as they focus on their self importance and impose their self will onto others who are weaker than themselves. That is not love, it is manipulation.

A meek heart simply acknowledges it's littleness to the Living God and with self knowledge accredits all its good thoughts, intentions and deeds to the Almighty who is the Source of Love and Wisdom. And by a life of prayer and study of the Scriptures it grows in love as God teaches the soul its own nothingness, and then raises the soul to Himself not because it is worthy but because God is Love and all Powerful.

A meek heart seeks after God and lives to do the Will of the Father as did our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."