View from the top of the Vatican, taken by Martha McDuff Wiggins, 2012
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4
In 2010 I read a very special and beautiful book entitled, Journal Of A Soul. It is a book based on the spiritual writings and diaries of Pope John XXIII. When the Pope gave his spiritual diaries to his secretary, to be published upon his death, he said, “My soul is in these pages.” His writings began at the age of fourteen and span over sixty seven years, the last being written about six months prior to his death.
I found this book to be thought provoking, spiritually moving, and very humbling. I had already been writing in my Journey Through The Stillness for some time when I was given Pope John XXIII’s beautiful book by my priest. I had sought his counsel about what was going on in my time spent in The Stillness and he promptly gave me his personal copy of the book saying I would find it very inspiring. As much as it was inspiring, I found it to be comforting. This Pope seemed to speak directly to my heart. In his writings I found so much that stirred my own soul, most especially on the subjects of vanity and humility.
I particularly like the following quote from a letter he wrote in 1944: If you hear anything good about me, praise the Lord as I do, for he has done all. If you hear any criticisms, pray for me, that the Lord may forgive me if the criticism is just and, if it is unjust, forgive whoever utters it.
Another time, the Pope quotes from Book III, chapter XXIII, of The Imitation of Christ about the four things that bring much peace to the soul: 1) Seek, my son, to do another’s will, rather than your own. 2) Choose always to have less rather than more. 3) Always seek the lowest place, and to be inferior to everyone. 4) Always desire and pray that the will of God may be wholly fulfilled in you. He then adds in his own words, It is heavenly doctrine: who can forget it?
I must not forget to pray daily for forgiveness for every unjust work I utter, and I must pray daily for one tenth the humility of this blessed man.
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