“Meekness means we are to endure wrongs humbly and patiently and to let go of our anger, which is the fruit of pride.”

- Vassilios Papavassiliou,Thirty Steps to Heaven, pg 63 

Reflection: 

When we hear the word ‘meek’ we often think of it as a personality trait - someone who is soft spoken and pushed around, a kind of weakness. But Christ shows us that meekness is a virtue that cannot be understood by externals.(1) 

Meekness is to have a heart that is peacefully and lovingly disposed toward someone who has been offensive.(2)

In order to practice meekness we must avoid anger; not merely externally but even in our thoughts, because it darkens our intellect with bitterness and cuts it off from the radiance of spiritual understanding and discernment by depriving it of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.(3)

When we are angry with others we should not seek solitude since being angry alone hides, but does not erase our anger.  Instead, having patience with the person by praying for them begins to address and soften our anger.

In order to have freedom from anger, we must act with humility as St John Climacus writes, “1) Keep the lips silent when the heart is stirred, 2) Keep thoughts silent when the soul is upset, 3) Be calm when unclean winds are blowing.”(4)

Let us follow in our Lord’s footsteps and cultivate meekness(5), so that our souls may remain unaffected whether or not we are spoken well of, whether or not we are honored or praised. This way, having let go of any anger, we humbly and patiently endure and love all people.

Resources:

1) Vassilios Papavassiliou,Thirty Steps to Heaven, 62.

2) St John Climacus, Thirty Steps to Heaven, 66. 3) St John Cassian, Thirty Steps to Heaven, pg 64.

4) Vassilios Papavassiliou,Thirty Steps to Heaven, 69.

5) Scripture About Meekness Matthew 5:5, Psalm 37:11, Colossians 3:12, 1 Peter 3:15