Pillars of Fire In My Soul

finding a variety of ways to help others. She seemed to keep her eyes open to find new and different ways to act on the behalf of the poor. She seemed spontaneously to act mercifully, reaching out in understanding and compassion to those in need. Given our human frailty and weakness, we only hope to emulate God’s holiness in this life. The more we practice simple, heartfelt deeds of mercy, however, the more we are comfortable with sharing God’s gifts of love and mercy with those around us. God’s grace calls us to participate in His mission of mercy. When we are given the grace to respond, as St. Faustina did, we grow in holiness and hope to enjoy — as St. Faustina enjoys — glorification… sanctification… the holi- ness of God with God and in God. The Three Qualities to Practice Humility When Helen went to Warsaw at Jesus’ direction, she prayed to Mary, Jesus’ mother for protection and guidance. Of all the guidance Mary gave Helen, perhaps the most important was the list of qualities Helen needed to practice in order to deepen her spiritual life and to grow in holiness. “I desire, my dearly beloved daughter, that you practice the three virtues that are dearest to me — and most pleasing to God. The first is humility, humility, and once again humility; the second virtue, purity; the third virtue, love of God” ( Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska , #1415). Humility… humility… humility: obviously a special virtue to practice! Yet so many people mistakenly associate humility with humiliation. Humiliation is an unhealthy, shame-based reaction to being the object of someone’s anger, fear, indiffer- ence, or desire to control. Humility, on the other hand, is a state of being that is honest, self-accepting, and receptive to God’s healing and grace. 146 Pillars of Fire in My Soul