I recently discovered a virtue that I realized I had been seriously lacking: Meekness.
I never really realized until this Immaculate Conception that I never really knew what the meaning of "meek" was. I knew it wasn't a matter of allowing yourself to be a doormat, but other than the fact that it had something to do with non-aggression, I never quite grasped what it was.
There is a reading in my daily devotional, "In Conversation With God" (an excellent series by Francis Fernandez), which describes it. Basically, it is the ability to remain serene and unperturbed in the face of provocation. It is the ability to respond proportionally, with only the appropriate degree of emotion. "[The meek] are like glassware so well packed into straw or hay that it is not broken when it is struck. Meekness is like a strong shield which blunts and shatters the sharp arrows of anger. The meek are like people dressed in garments of thick quilted cotton which protect them without harming anyone else." (F. Osuna, Third Spiritual Alphabet, III, 4). "Anger in all its many forms is the material on which this virtue has to work. Meekness controls and directs it, so that it is aroused only when necessary and to the extent to which it is necessary." Meekness is really a form of strength: the strength to control one's emotions and not lash out inappropriately.
I thought I was pretty virtuous until I realized the implications of this definition of meekness. It means no more yelling at my computer when things don't go right. It means no more angry expletives. (Contrary to popular impression, I don't think it is intrinsically wrong to use profanity; but if it comes out as a reaction to circumstances, it is probably a symptom of lack of meekness.) It means not getting agitated when things don't go my way. It also means not getting upset &mdash at all &mdash when someone provokes me, no matter what it is.
So I do see God really cultivating this virtue in my life right now, but obvious it needs some time before it totally bears fruit. And it is a virtue I want to cultivate. So pray for me, a sinner!
The is something the Lord has been calling me to do for most of my life (I just didn't realize it until I read your blog entry)! I pray regularly for the strength to overcome that flaw in my personality, and to become a more peaceful person.