wretch

Consideration on Humility Towards God

THE first act of humility, says St. Thomas, [2a 2AE, qu. clxi, art. 2 ad 3; et qu. clxii, art. 5] in rendering Consist Entirely subject ourselves to God with the greatest reverence for His infinite Majesty, Which before we are as nothing: "All nations before Him are as if They Had not being at all." [Isai. vl, 17] But do you ever Consider your nothingness before God? ----- That and all the being you have, You have from God? ----- That through intrinsic necessity and you depend upon God That Entirely so without Him you can not do anything good ----- "for without Me you can do nothing" [John xv, 5] ----- That without God you neither think nor say nor do anything that is good?
This is of faith. "No man can say the Lord Jesus but by the Holy Ghost." [1 Cor. xii, 3] "Not that we are Sufficient to think anything of ourselves as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God." [2 Cor. iii 5] "For it is God Who worketh in you both to will and to Accomplished ACCORDING TO His good will." [Phil. ii, 13] It is not enough only to say All These Things I know, but it is Necessary to Realize Them To Become really humble.
The Angelic Doctor Teaches That the reason why humility Principally Tends to render the soul is subject to God Because This virtue is nearest to the theological virtues, and as it does not suffice only to know what things we must believe or hope, but it is Also Necessary for us to make acts of faith and hope, so in the same way we must make like acts of humility.
Christ Himself Taught humility of heart, and the heart must REMAIN not idle, nor fail to produce the Necessary ----- acts acts and what do you make of humility before God? How often do you make them? When have you made them? How long is it since you made them?
It would be absurd to hope for the reward promised to the Which is humble without being humble, or at Least without the desire to be humble; and without making acts of humility; humility of heart without the heart humbling itself ----- what folly! And are you foolish enough to believe That This Can be done?
Sometimes you give utterance to Un certain words Which seems to outstretch to your own humiliation; you say you are a contemptible wretch, and good for nothing, but do you say Such Things sincerely from your heart? If you are afraid of lying to yourself by confirming them in your own mind, listen to what St. Thomas [Loc. cit. art. 6, ad 1] tells us for our instruction, That everyone can truthfully say of himself and believe he is a contemptible That wretch, Referring All His Ability and talent to God.