MEEKNESS - VIRTUE FOR NOVEMBER

"Meekness is the virtue that enables one to overcome the tendencies of anger, revenge, hatred, and enmity. Many of its manifestations have already been listed under the heading of charity, because the principal incentives to anger come from the words or actions of a fellow human being.

"Thus meekness presupposes the virtue of charity or love of neighbor, which provides the motives and the means of overlooking insult, injustice and injury, real or imaginary, from others.

"The vice of anger, to which meekness is opposed, is responsible for very much of the misery in the world. It is a vice in which an animal passion in man is permitted to dominate his words and actions as if he possessed neither reason nor free will.

"In the brute animals, anger is directed by instinct to the purposes of self-defense and self-preservation, as exemplified when a brute fights for food, or against an enemy, or in defense of its young. In man, anger is also designed by nature to be a means of self-defense and self-preservation; but, like all passions, in him it is meant to be under the complete control of reason and free will."

Rev. Donald F. Miller, C.SS.R.

SCRIPTURE VERSES FOR THE MONTH

PSALMS 37:11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

PROVERBS 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 CORINTHIANS 10:1 By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you--I, Paul, who am "timid" when face to face with you, but "bold" when away!

MATTHEW 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

ASPIRATION FOR THE MONTH

Oh, God, grant us union of minds in truth and union of hearts in charity.

PRAYER FOR THE MONTH

O sweet Redeemer, how great is the contrast between Thy conduct, under insult and injury, and mine!

Thou was silent when they accused Thee falsely; Thou didst not complain when they crowned Thee with thorns and scourged Thee at the pillar; Thou didst pray for the forgiveness of even those who nailed Thee to Thy cross.

And I - how often I have plotted revenge against someone for an imaginary wrong, and how long I have harbored ill-feelings toward others within my heart. I am sorry that I have been so unworthy a follower of Thee.

Grant me the grace to be prompt to forgive; to be generous with those who are niggardly with me; to be meek and patient whenever I am tempted to anger.

O Mary, who didst share in the ignominy of Thy son's passion and death without complaint, obtain for me the grace to overcome every temptation to hatred and anger.

Amen

Rev. Donald F. Miller, C.SS.R.