This amazing poem is very transforming...The version found written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta:
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
-this version is credited to Mother Teresa
For the original by Kent Keith look here...
It reminds me of my all time favorite (well-life changing) prayer:
+Litany of Humility+
His Emience Cardinal Merry delVal was accustomed to recite daily after he celebrated the Holy Mass
O Jesus meek and humble of heart, hear me
From the desire of being esteemed.........Deliver Me Jesus
From the desire of being loved.............Deliver me Jesus
From the desire of being extolled ..........Deliver me Jesus
From the desire of being honored..............Deliver me Jesus
From the desire of being praised......... Deliver me Jesus
From the desire of being preferred.........Deliver me Jesus
From the desire of being consulted...........Deliver me Jesus
From the desire of being approved.............Deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being humiliated.........Deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being despised............Deliver me Jesus
From the fear of suffering rebukes..............Deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being calumniated...........Deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being forgotten................ Deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being ridiculed..............Deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being wronged............Deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being suspected...........Deliver me Jesus
That others may be loved more than I..........Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it
That others may be esteemed more than I ................Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it
That in the opinion of the world others may increase and I may decrease..............Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it
That others may be chosen and I set aside............Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it
That others may be praised and I unnoticed............Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may became as holy as I should.......................Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
+amen and amen
Imprimatur James A McNulty Bishop of Paterson NJ
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Showing posts with label humility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label humility. Show all posts
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
IMITATION OF CHRIST: Meditation of the day...
The Thirtieth Chapter
The Quest of Divine Help and Confidence in Regaining Grace (part three)
This is where I left off last time: I know your secret thoughts, and I know that it is profitable for your salvation to be left sometimes in despondency lest perhaps you be puffed up by success and fancy yourself to be what you are not.
What I have given, I can take away and restore when it pleases Me. What I give remains Mine, and thus when I take it away I take nothing that is yours, for every good gift and every perfect gift is Mine.
If I send you trouble and adversity, do not fret or let your heart be downcast. I can raise you quickly up again and turn all your sorrow into joy. I am no less just and worthy of great praise when I deal with you in this way.
If you think aright and view things in their true light, you should never be so dejected and saddened by adversity, but rather rejoice and give thanks, considering it a matter of special joy that I afflict you with sorrow and do not spare you. “As the Father hath loved Me, so also I love you,” I said to My disciples, and I certainly did not send them out to temporal joys but rather to great struggles, not to honors but to contempt, not to idleness, but to labors, not to rest but to bring forth much fruit in patience. Do you, My child, remember these words.
So I guess we are to remember that we will have struggles, contempt, labor, and need to be patient...at this time I am working on Humility; with the help of my teenagers!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
The Quest of Divine Help and Confidence in Regaining Grace (part three)
This is where I left off last time: I know your secret thoughts, and I know that it is profitable for your salvation to be left sometimes in despondency lest perhaps you be puffed up by success and fancy yourself to be what you are not.
What I have given, I can take away and restore when it pleases Me. What I give remains Mine, and thus when I take it away I take nothing that is yours, for every good gift and every perfect gift is Mine.
If I send you trouble and adversity, do not fret or let your heart be downcast. I can raise you quickly up again and turn all your sorrow into joy. I am no less just and worthy of great praise when I deal with you in this way.
If you think aright and view things in their true light, you should never be so dejected and saddened by adversity, but rather rejoice and give thanks, considering it a matter of special joy that I afflict you with sorrow and do not spare you. “As the Father hath loved Me, so also I love you,” I said to My disciples, and I certainly did not send them out to temporal joys but rather to great struggles, not to honors but to contempt, not to idleness, but to labors, not to rest but to bring forth much fruit in patience. Do you, My child, remember these words.
So I guess we are to remember that we will have struggles, contempt, labor, and need to be patient...at this time I am working on Humility; with the help of my teenagers!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Thursday, December 4, 2008
MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND...hmmm...
My wonderful husband gave me a kiss this morning...then he said, "I feel like I am kissing a fourteen year old", hmmm, I thought...my pride & vanity thought good thoughts...cause I am so young, so pure, ...so I had to ask..."why?" He looked at me with his sardonic smile and said "because of your complexion." You see I have had a weird bout with zits on my chin and forehead...I thought I paid my dues in my teens...well, it is coming back. Is this part of my mid life crisis? Maybe my body is just in shock at not being pregnant...this is almost a record for me, I have only gone once this long without being pregnant in 20 years...not happy about it either...OK, I know I am blessed and I will keep quiet and say:
THY WILL BE DONE!!!+JMJ+
THY WILL BE DONE!!!+JMJ+
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Meditation of the day...IMITATION OF CHRIST...
On Avoiding too much familiarity
Do not open your heart to everyone, but only to the one who is wise, God-fearing, and who can keep your confidence...
Rather associate yourself with those who are humble and have simplicity, who are devout and self-disciplined, talking with them about those things that will edify and strengthen the soul. Do not be familiar with the opposite sex, but commend those who are good to God.
Have charity for all;...Sometimes it happens that we know a person only by his fame, but when we meet him we are often disappointed.
Many Many thoughts run through my mind this morning!!!
To start with the first excerpt-I can't help but think of spiritual direction. It can take many different stages depending on your state in life. I first think of the parents guiding their children, teaching them of the respect and love for God. Than I think of the many mentors Christ has placed in my life. Teachers, coaches, wise holy adults, priests, nuns, and groups of women who were there to help me be a better wife and mother. I didn't have a "real" spiritual director till I was about 25 years old. That took much prayer and discernment to see who the Holy Spirit had in mind and what I needed at the time. Since then, God has placed different people in my life at different states of my life to help me grow closer to Christ.
My next thought is something I learned long ago when my husband and I owned a Christian Bookstore for about 10 years. It was from a book we sold call Hedges by Jerry Jenkins. It was about guarding our selves from relationships of the opposite sex. Making prudent decisions about our actions. I know it sounds silly but it gives one something to ponder. I also remember what I learned from a wise friend about American women and how our social behavior around priests can put them in an awkward situation. Meaning, some priest have no problem giving you a hug (especially if you are close to them) but others feel very strange when a women comes up and hugs them...(actually many men may feel uncomfortable with this situation). My advice is to see how they react to your presence. If they put their hand out to shake it then by all means shake their hand...if they come up and give you a big hug than I guess they don't mind...Listen to the Holy Spirit (our mother's intuition) and if you feel uncomfortable in any situation than pray for wisdom and prudence!!!
Having Charity for all...well that could be a book!!!
I really think we need to look at the way we treat others. Especially those who have been put in public eye. They really need our prayers and support. Don't ever put yourself down and hope that you could be more like them. I love the part of the Humility prayer that says, "That others may become holier than I, provided that I become as holy as I should," !!!
Litany of Humility
Written by Cardinal Merry del Val.
(He was accustomed to recite this prayer daily after the celebration of Holy Mass.)
O Jesus meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That in the opinion of the world, others may increase, and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Amen.
Thy Will Be Done!!!+JMJ+
Do not open your heart to everyone, but only to the one who is wise, God-fearing, and who can keep your confidence...
Rather associate yourself with those who are humble and have simplicity, who are devout and self-disciplined, talking with them about those things that will edify and strengthen the soul. Do not be familiar with the opposite sex, but commend those who are good to God.
Have charity for all;...Sometimes it happens that we know a person only by his fame, but when we meet him we are often disappointed.
Many Many thoughts run through my mind this morning!!!
To start with the first excerpt-I can't help but think of spiritual direction. It can take many different stages depending on your state in life. I first think of the parents guiding their children, teaching them of the respect and love for God. Than I think of the many mentors Christ has placed in my life. Teachers, coaches, wise holy adults, priests, nuns, and groups of women who were there to help me be a better wife and mother. I didn't have a "real" spiritual director till I was about 25 years old. That took much prayer and discernment to see who the Holy Spirit had in mind and what I needed at the time. Since then, God has placed different people in my life at different states of my life to help me grow closer to Christ.
My next thought is something I learned long ago when my husband and I owned a Christian Bookstore for about 10 years. It was from a book we sold call Hedges by Jerry Jenkins. It was about guarding our selves from relationships of the opposite sex. Making prudent decisions about our actions. I know it sounds silly but it gives one something to ponder. I also remember what I learned from a wise friend about American women and how our social behavior around priests can put them in an awkward situation. Meaning, some priest have no problem giving you a hug (especially if you are close to them) but others feel very strange when a women comes up and hugs them...(actually many men may feel uncomfortable with this situation). My advice is to see how they react to your presence. If they put their hand out to shake it then by all means shake their hand...if they come up and give you a big hug than I guess they don't mind...Listen to the Holy Spirit (our mother's intuition) and if you feel uncomfortable in any situation than pray for wisdom and prudence!!!
Having Charity for all...well that could be a book!!!
I really think we need to look at the way we treat others. Especially those who have been put in public eye. They really need our prayers and support. Don't ever put yourself down and hope that you could be more like them. I love the part of the Humility prayer that says, "That others may become holier than I, provided that I become as holy as I should," !!!
Litany of Humility
Written by Cardinal Merry del Val.
(He was accustomed to recite this prayer daily after the celebration of Holy Mass.)
O Jesus meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That in the opinion of the world, others may increase, and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Amen.
Thy Will Be Done!!!+JMJ+
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)