Thought for the Day – 24 June – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
PATIENCE
Meditations for a Month
On Patience under Contempt
- There are few things as difficult for human nature to bear as contempt.
To be regarded as not worthy of notice, to be spoken of in terms implying that we are looked down upon, to be passed over as if of no importance in the eyes of others, all this is indeed painful to us and sorely tries our patience.
When I am thus treated, how do I take it? Am I desirous to prove my importance and the necessity of considering me? If so, I shall not have the patience that I ought to have. I still have much of the spirit of pride left in me. I must pray God to make me more humble. - Why is it that contempt is so painful to us?
It is because our natural craving is after power and influence. We do not realise our own insignificance. If we did, we should be quite willing to be overlooked.
We should dislike the high esteem of men. This was the case with the Saints. They shunned honour and courted contempt. St Philip used to go into the Cardinals’ places in St Peter’s on a Feast that he might have the humiliation of being thrust out. St Francis used to kneel down in the refectory and openly accuse himself of gluttony.
Oh my God! shall I ever obtain this grace of being satisfied to be despised and of disliking to be honoured? - What would be the treatment bestowed upon us if those around us saw us as we are in God’s sight, if they knew all the wicked thoughts and sinful actions of our past life? What would be their estimation of us if they saw us with all the abominations of our soul unveiled; if they beheld our pride and selfishness and sloth and impurity and self-indulgence, our high esteem of ourselves and our indifference to God?!
Oh how they would despise us then!
How we ought to despise ourselves now!
AnaStpaul 