The Most Humiliating Mistakes

'God allows His greatest servants to make the most humiliating mistakes. 

This humbles them in their own eyes and in the eyes of their fellow men. 

It prevents them from seeing and taking pride in the graces God bestows on them.'

St. Louis de Montfort

Painting: Théodule-Augustin Ribot, Still Life with Pumpkin, Plums, Cherries, Figs and Jug

According To...

 

"Mysteries in religion are measured

by the proud according to their own capacity;

by the humble, according to the power of God.

The humble glorify God for them.

The proud exalt themselves against them."

Cardinal John Henry Newman



Painting: JamesTossit, Il guérit les boiteux

a time for waiting

"Worldlings... who live according to the ways of earth, as soon as they have some good thought or some idea that seems to them worthy of being esteemed... are never at rest till they have exhibited it and made it known to everyone they meet.  Wherein they run the same risk as the trees which are very early in sending out their leaves.. for if, perchance, the frost surprises them, they perish and bear no fruit."  (St. Francis de Sales).  

"It is owing to His favor that salvation is yours through faith.  This is not your own doing, it is God's gift.  Neither is it a reward for anything you have accomplished, so let no one pride himself on it.  We are truly His handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to lead the life of good deeds which God prepared for us in advance."  (Ephesians 2:8-10)

(photo © Nancy Shuman)