Goodness and Christian Courtesy
1. Christian perfection, when it is genuine and practical, should be
reflected externally in our appearance, in our conversation, and in our
behaviour. Discourtesy, sharpness of manner, offensive speech, and all
that is rude or displeasing, are signs that we are lacking or weak in
virtue.
On the other hand, if we have succeeded in conquering all our
evil inclinations and in regulating our interior faculties, so that
they are subject to right reason and to the divine law, then our virtue
will be reflected in our speech and in our actions. It was this
spiritual charm that made the Saints fascinating to those who knew them
or came in contact with them, making them wish to reform their own lives
and to strive towards perfection. St. Francis de Sales said that
courtesy is the frame of sanctity; as a picture without a frame is
incomplete, so also is virtue if it is not expressed externally by
affability and gentleness. In the Gospel, Jesus is not satisfied with
interior virtue alone but insists that it should appear outwardly in our
actions. “Even let your light shine before men,” He says, “in order
that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in
heaven.” (Mt. 5:16)
2. St. Francis de Sales was a model of
gentleness and Christian courtesy. He had every regard and respect of
his neighbour because he saw God in everyone and everyone in God.
He had the ability to listen to everybody with great patience and
kindness, without ever showing any sign of tiredness or boredom, even
when he was dealing with unpleasant people or when he was busy with far
more important matters. He maintained his equilibrium and self-control
even after many hours of work and of difficult consultations. He was
always prepared , moreover, to listen to the troubles of the poor.
Even when insulted and reviled, he displayed perfect serenity and calm.
It was a result of this that, with the help of God, he made innumerable
converts.
“Always be as gentle as you can,” he was accustomed
to advise, “and remember that you will catch more flies with a spoon of
honey than with a barrel of vinegar. If you must err, let it be on the
side of gentleness…” “Be humble,” he wrote again, “and you will be
gentle. Humility makes the heart kind towards the perfect and the
imperfect; towards the former through veneration, towards the latter
through compassion.” (Letter 51) How much we have to learn from the
serenity and courtesy of this Saint!
3. When Jesus wished to
propose Himself as our divine model, He said: “Learn from me, for I am
meek and humble of heart.” (Mt. 11:29) He was kind to all, but
especially to sinners. He was strict and severe only with hypocrites,
whom He described as a race of vipers and as whitened sepulchres, from
which we can see how much He detested duplicity. If the hypocrites had
only repented and resolved to mend their ways, however, Our Lord would
have received them lovingly and pardoned them. Let us learn, therefore,
to be simple, meek, and humble of heart and to display that courtesy of
manner which is the necessary adornment of true Christian virtue.
No comments:
Post a Comment