Reflections 12: Meekness and Grace (Relationships Series)

I have always been instructed to take the proverbial high road, meaning in all my encounters with other people I continually, almost automatically, look for the good in the evil act which has been perpetrated against me. I have always been driven to understand why someone would say the horrible things they have, thus cursing my very name. What is the mentality behind their words, the motivations within their false accusations, and even the anger which has stained their heart? I have always been told it takes a bigger man to walk away from a fight than the one who stands and fights. I guess that is why I have never liked getting into arguments with others, and or verbal contest we call sarcasm. I have only been involved in three physical fights, as a child. I walk away before I get to that point where I throughout the word of God and start hitting, I show restraint, I show respect, and I always try to make peace first.

The attributes to my character in faith are known to God as meekness, and grace.

“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

My reflection this week is on the character God wants all of us to emulate, as Jesus was the perfect example for meekness, and grace. I have said this many times and I still believe that Jesus set so many examples, simultaneously, that it is hard to really grasp the true depth of each message as each of Jesus’s lessons teaches us different things each time we read them. No other teacher, educator, or professor has ever taught a lesson which can be applied to every aspect of your life in such riveting detail as that of Jesus. What is really mind blowing is that his lessons where as relevant when he spoke them, as they are to us today.

Meekness is not weak, nor is it a symbol of being scared to engage in a physical brawl. Rather it is the conscious choice to make your point without ever landing a blow. It is the invisible force of God that which makes people stop, stumble then fall down and ask for forgiveness as the Holy Spirit convicts them of their grievous act. To be meek is to be in tune with Gods plan for your life; one which you realize is not of your own will, but that of God’s will. A plan you do not know each detail, but trust in his wisdom that it is good, just, and absolute. A plan which is so perfect it is inconceivable to what the outcome will be, an outcome not of your design, but that of Gods. Through God’s plan we are shown he can make all things miraculous, magical, and to us in the beginning what was impossible, God proves that for him all things are possible.

Q11 “Fortunate are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.”

This verse is also found in the bible in Matthew 5:5, and in Luke 6:20. This message was so powerful and meaningful that Jesus spoke them aloud so that we might know them and obey them. That his example of meekness would be emulated by all of humanity.

3Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 6:3-12).

Jesus stated clearly in the Beatitudes that meekness is rewarded by God, for he blesses the meek, their battle has already been won, and the fight is over before it begins. However the act of being meek is also exhibiting love that resigns in the heart, this is linked to meekness and it is called grace.

The MerriamWebster dictionary defines grace in this fashion; 1 a: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b: a virtue coming from God c: a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace.

Through Gods grace we receive something we otherwise would not, that being salvation. Because God promised salvation to the meek, these two words work in tandem and have a holy bond. Through his grace, Jesus exhibited and clearly defined how our relationship with him and with others is to flourish. Someone who is graceful in their acts towards others is at peace with the word of God, they receive peace in their heart, mind, and soul, thus the meek are filled with grace and are blessed by God. A graceful act is one which shows mercy to others. Thus grace and mercy are also inexplicably linked. Grace is found within your words which come from your heart, it can be found in the actions which are governed by your heart. Grace cannot be found in the harsh words of condemnation, nor in the violent acts of persecution, and sin.

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20The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:20-21).

Jesus showed us how to be meek; his actions were filled with grace. God forgave us our sins so that we might be saved out of eternal love, which flowed from his heart, showing us grace within our salvation. Both meekness, and grace are powerful words, they are defined within our choices, and attitudes we chose to exhibit to one another. What fills our heart also fills our mouth, and the actions which result is what we are judged by. We are commanded to love one another, to love our enemies, to feed the hungry, to cloth the nagged because in these things we exemplify God, bringing him glory. We prove that being meek is stronger than being vicious; being graceful is stronger than being overbearing and malicious. We prove that Jesus loved us more tha
n he loved himself, and that God loved us more than he loved all of creation.



Amen.

May peace be with you all the days of your life? If you have been moved by this blog I invite you to become a follower, and learn to Listen Faithfully to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Published by

Brother Brian

Brother Brian currently serves within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Catholic School System. He is currently in his twentieth year of teaching.

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