"an old doubt" from St. Faustina's "Diary"

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Paragraph 464 in the Diary – Divine Mercy in My Soul written by St. Faustina:

During a meditation on humility, an old doubt returned: that a soul as miserable as mine could not carry out the task which the Lord was demanding of me. Just as I was analyzing this doubt, the priest who was conducting the retreat interrupted his train of thought and spoke about the very thing I was having doubts about; namely that God usually chooses the weakest and simplest souls as tools for His greatest works; that we can see that this is an undeniable truth when we look at the men He chose to be His apostles; or again, when we look at the history of the Church and see what great works were done by souls that were the least capable of accomplishing them; for it is just in this way that God’s works are revealed for what they are, the works of God. When my doubt had completely disappeared, the priest resumed his conference on humility.

Jesus was standing, as He usually did during each conference, on the altar and said nothing to me, but with His kindly gaze pierced my poor soul which no longer had any excuse.

It is possible for any of us to think we are being “humble” when we are merely looking for an excuse. Isn’t it? May the Holy Spirit teach us the Truth of Jesus’ Meek and Humble Heart and the true humility of Mary, our Mother and of all the saints.

 

[roseo64]

I guess I don’t understand your question…using humility as an excuse???
I don’t get what you are trying to get at? an excuse for what?
what I do understand is that our pride and egos often, very often, too often
get in the way of true humility. that I have read in the lives of many of the saints.
Humility is easier, said then done…as with many of the virtues.
and our “blind spots” often hinder our growth in the very things we are trying to
achieve. I cannot say I have ever experienced true humility…for I think as
soon as I start thinking I am humble, my true self or ego emerges trying to pat
my self on the back…which tells me I have a long way to go.
don’t know if this helps and maybe you could explain your question a
little more.
definitely a subject worth delving into. even though we may stumble
and fall along the Way.

 

[MariaChristi]

I guess I don’t understand your question…using humility as an excuse???
I don’t get what you are trying to get at? an excuse for what?
what I do understand is that our pride and egos often, very often, too often
get in the way of true humility. that I have read in the lives of many of the saints.
Humility is easier, said then done…as with many of the virtues.
and our “blind spots” often hinder our growth in the very things we are trying to
achieve. I cannot say I have ever experienced true humility…for I think as
soon as I start thinking I am humble, my true self or ego emerges trying to pat
my self on the back…which tells me I have a long way to go.
don’t know if this helps and maybe you could explain your question a
little more.
definitely a subject worth delving into. even though we may stumble
and fall along the Way.

Dear Rose,

Thanks for your reply. My question was actually rhetorical because St. Faustina has given us the answer. Let me repeat her words:

During a meditation on humility, an old doubt returned: that a soul as miserable as mine could not carry out the task which the Lord was demanding of me. Just as I was analyzing this doubt, the priest who was conducting the retreat interrupted his train of thought and spoke about the very thing I was having doubts about; namely that God usually chooses the weakest and simplest souls as tools for His greatest works; that we can see that this is an undeniable truth when we look at the men He chose to be His apostles; or again, when we look at the history of the Church and see what great works were done by souls that were the least capable of accomplishing them; for it is just in this way that God’s works are revealed for what they are, the works of God. When my doubt had completely disappeared, the priest resumed his conference on humility.

Jesus was standing, as He usually did during each conference, on the altar and said nothing to me, but with His kindly gaze pierced my poor soul which no longer had any excuse.

I underlined the “old doubt” which returned to St. Faustina as she listened to the priest’s talk on humility. She was thinking of herself and how she thought she was so miserable a soul that she could not carry out what God was asking of her. It seems to me, any of us can do the same thing in thinking perhaps “I can’t be a saint” or “I’m not worthy to do this or that” and we can forget to look at the example of Jesus and Mary and learn from their humility.

You are absolutely right in that: the more anyone thinks about themselves the less humble they can become. When, by God’s Grace, we look to Jesus in faith and trust in Him, lovingly, we can begin to realize – as St. Faustina wrote – that her “poor soul no longer had any excuse”. Hope that explains it a bit better.

Humility is truly essential if we are to grow spiritually and so Jesus tells us: “Learn of Me for I am Meek and Humble of Heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (cf Mt 11:29). Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The focus needs to be on on Him, listening to His Word and like Mary our Mother and all the saints, keeping His Word and living His Word in Love, by His Grace…one moment at a time!