Guest guest Posted March 9, 2001 Report Share Posted March 9, 2001 Hello Wim,you are no doubt right that a "look-at-me-how-humble-I-am" attitude would just be a reverse-psychology way of flaunting the ego. As you surmised, though, this is not the point I meant to address with my little missive. The point was that there is a danger of being satisfied with a mere jugglery of lofty thoughts and emotions, while forgetting to place first importance upon the very foundations of spiritual life - loyalty, compassion, self-control, truthfulness.It is easy to speak grandly about the layers of enlightenment; it may not be as easy to clean an ailing person's bedpan. It is easy to love every sentient being; it may not be quite as easy to love those in our immediate surroundings. It is easy to weep with compassion when seeing the movie, "Titanic"; but can we as easily muster the spiritual fortitude it would have taken to give up our seat in the lifeboat?Here is what St. Francis of Assisi said: "No one should flatter himself with evil praise over what a sinner can do. A sinner can fast, pray, weep, mortify his flesh. This, however, he cannot do, namely, be faithful unto his Lord. Therefore in this we should glory, that we give glory to God, that we serve Him faithfully, that we ascribe to Him whatever He has given us." Take care, Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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