Episode 2126: Humility per St Francis DeSalles - by Sharon

The Gentle Strength of Humility: Unveiling St. Francis de Sales' Wisdom
Sharon: Welcome back to Catholic Reboot everyone! I'm your host, Sharon, and joining me as always is the ever-insightful Walt.
Walt: Happy to be here, Sharon. Today's episode dives into a beautiful yet sometimes misunderstood virtue: humility.
Sharon: Absolutely, Walt. And to guide us, we have the wisdom of a saint known for his gentle approach to faith by St. Francis de Sales.
Walt: Intriguing! Please tell us how St. Francis, from a traditional Catholic perspective, sheds light on the true strength that humility offers.
Sharon: So, grab your favorite drink and settle in for a faith-enriching journey! Throughout the episode, I will pose questions and facilitate the discussion, incorporating quotes from St. Francis de Sales. St. Francis de Sales talks about humility being the foundation of gentleness. He uses a wonderful metaphor in "Introduction to the Devout Life." Humility, he says, is like balm, which sinks low. But true gentleness, arising from humility, is like oil, rising above with kindness and cheerfulness.
It reminds us that humility isn't about putting ourselves down but creating space for kindness to flourish.
Walt: Now, in my readings of St. Francis he seems to emphasizes honest self-reflection. But how does this tie into humility?
Sharon: He encourages us to acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses without arrogance or self-loathing. Humility allows us to see ourselves as God sees us: with love and a desire for our growth.
In his Chapter V: On Interior Humility:
Saint Francis de Sales begins the chapter acknowledging the discussion on humility that it might seem more like worldly wisdom than true internal humility. He then addresses Philothea, the fictional character he guides throughout the book.
De Sales argues that some people avoid reflecting on God's graces bestowed upon them, fearing pride or vanity. He disagrees with this approach. Referencing Saint Thomas Aquinas, he explains that recognizing God's gifts fosters love for Him. He emphasizes that considering both our blessings and shortcomings is crucial for true humility.

Here's a key point:
Contemplating God's graces alongside our sins allows us to be humbled by both His immense mercy and our failings.
De Sales uses an analogy to illustrate this concept. He compares a mule carrying precious treasures. The mule doesn't become any less ordinary because of its cargo. Similarly, God's gifts don't make us inherently better.
Add your wording on the Donkey
The chapter concludes by reminding Philothea that everything good in us comes from God. He quotes scripture (1 Corinthians 4:7) to emphasize this point: "What hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?"
De Sales suggests that appreciating God's graces should lead to humility and gratitude, not pride. He acknowledges the risk of vanity but offers a solution: If self-importance arises, reflecting on our ingratitude serves as a corrective.
This chapter lays the foundation for a deeper understanding of humility that goes beyond outward actions. It emphasizes self-awareness, acknowledging both God's gifts and our shortcomings, leading to a genuine sense of humility and gratitude.
Walt: Self-acceptance is key. But St. Francis also reminds us that we'll encounter imperfections in ourselves and others. Right?
Sharon: Absolutely. Humility fosters patience, understanding, and forgiveness essential qualities for navigating relationships both big and small. Let me provide you just two quotes from St Francis DeSalles that brings this point home.
Regarding Humility and Self-Knowledge: "True humility is to hold a just estimate of ourselves"
Understanding and Patience: "Have patience with all things, but first of all with yourself"
By acknowledging our own limitations through humility, we become more understanding of others' shortcomings. Patience naturally follows as we recognize everyone is on a journey of growth.
Walt: And humility isn't just a feeling, it's a practice. Can you share some practical tips from St. Francis' writings?
Sharon: Sure! He suggests seeking opportunities to serve others, offering sincere compliments, and willingly taking on less desirable tasks. Small acts, big impact! Let me provide more of his quotes to drive this point home.
"True charity is not in feeling but in acting; it is not in saying fine things but in doing fine things"
So while St. Francis doesn't explicitly say "seek opportunities," his emphasis on action in charity implies actively looking for ways to serve.
He also said "A single word of sincere praise may give years of encouragement" St. Francis de Sales is uncertain, and that quote highlights the power of positive words, aligning with the idea of offering sincere compliments.
Then he said "Do little things as if they were great things”
This emphasizes the importance of even small actions. By doing "little things," we can include taking on less desirable tasks but with a spirit of dedication.
And finally he said on this topic "Let us be less concerned about our future than about our duty. The one is in the hands of God, the other is in our own
This reinforces the concept of focusing on action and fulfilling our duties, which can encompass serving others, offering compliments, and taking on tasks.
So if you weave these quotes and explanations together, you better see St. Francis de Sales' message about the importance of small acts in serving others, offering sincere appreciation, and embracing all tasks with a spirit of dedication.
Walt: Excellent points, Sharon. It's important to distinguish true humility from putting ourselves down for attention.
Sharon: Very, Walt. St. Francis warns against seeking to appear insignificant for praise. True humility comes from inner peace and a focus on God's will. If you don’t mind I want to provide even more quotes from him to further make the point. Notice I use his statements directly so I don’t go off on a tangent and miss his points?
On the Inner Peace and Focus on God's Will
"True devotion does not consist in feeling much, but in consenting much"
He emphasizes inner peace and acceptance of God's will over emotional highs. True humility arises from this place of inner peace, not a desire for external validation.
Focus on Service, Not Self-Attention
"True charity is not in feeling but in acting; it is not in saying fine things but in doing fine things"
Here, St. Francis de Sales emphasizes action and service over self-promotion. True humility focuses on serving God and others, not drawing attention to oneself.
Avoiding False Humility
This approach contradicts his emphasis on genuine self-knowledge and honest self-reflection. St. Francis de Sales would likely caution against manipulating humility for personal gain. True humility stems from a quiet confidence in God's plan and a desire to fulfill His will, not to garner praise.
By incorporating these 3 points, you can see the contrast between genuine humility and a desire to appear insignificant for praise. True humility, according to St. Francis de Sales, arises from a place of inner peace and a focus on serving God's will, not seeking external validation.
Walt: As we wrap up this episode, Sharon, how do St. Francis de Sales' teachings resonate with you?
Sharon: For me? Well it's the idea that humility isn't weakness, but a strength that allows God's grace to work more effectively in our lives.
Walt: Sharon we should all strive to cultivate this gentle virtue each day, becoming instruments of peace, joy, and God's love in the world.
Sharon: Feeling inspired to delve deeper? Consider reading "Introduction to the Devout Life". Thanks for joining us on Catholic Reboot where we don’t preach we teach. And until next time, may God bless you and now go out there and be humble s