Untitled - Saints' Books

INSTR. vii.] Meekness. 333
others, says St. John Chrysostom. 1 Father Maffei re
lates that while a Jesuit was preaching in Japan, an in
solent bystander spit in his face; the Father wiped away
the spittle, and continued the sermon as if
nothing had
happened. At the sight of such meekness one of the
audience was converted, and said that a religion that
teaches such humility must be true and divine. Thus>
also, by the meekness and tranquillity with which he
bore all the insults heaped upon him by the heretical
ministers St. Francis de Sales converted an immense
number of heretics. Meekness is the touchstone of
sanctity. St. John Chrysostom says* that the surest
means of knowing whether a soul has virtue is to observe
if she practises meekness under contradictions. In the
history of Japan, Crasset relates that a certain Augustinian
missionary who, in the time of the persecution,
had changed his dress, received a buffet without resent
ing it. Seeing his meekness, the idolaters instantly
supposed him to be a Christian, and laid hold of him;
for said they, no one but a Christian could practise such
virtue.
Ah ! at the sight of Jesus loaded with contempt
it is
easy to bear all insults. Standing one day before a
crucifix, Blessed Mary of the Incarnation said to her
"O
religious: sisters ! can it be possible that we will not
bear contempt when we see a God so ?"
despised On
his journey to Rome to receive the crown of martyrdom,
St. Ignatius, Martyr, finding himself so maltreated by
the soldiers, said: "I now begin to be the servant of
Christ." What can be
:
expected from a Christian if he
is not able to bear contempt for Jesus Christ? It is in
deed very painful to our pride to be despised and in
sulted, without seeking revenge, or even making a reply.
1 "
Mansuetus, utilis sibi et aliis." In Act. horn. 6.
2
In Gen. horn. 34.
3 "
Nunc incipio esse Christ! discipulus."
Ep. ad Rom.