The Greek word which is translated "modesty" means more, it means
fairness, kindness, gentleness, moderation, self-restraint, not
insisting on strict justice. These are the qualities by which I am to be
known to all men, _because_ the Lord is nigh. He is within me--always if
I will by His grace and often by the Blessed Sacrament. I may truly be
said to "bear God in my body." What follows? I am His representative to
the world; He is living His life in the world through me; if people want
to know something about God and what He is like, they ought to be able
to find out by watching my life.
The Lord is nigh--my gentleness has to recall this fact to others. "The
servant of the Lord must not wrangle, but be mild towards all men." (2
Tim. II. 24). He must not stand up for his rights, though strictly
speaking he may have them; he must not be wedded to his own opinions and
ever anxious to give them; he must not argue and strive to show that he
is in the right, which means that everybody else is in the wrong. No, if
he does these things, he is giving an altogether false representation of
Christ Who is within him, of the Lord Who is so nigh.
Some people are gentle by nature, but it is not this natural quality of
gentleness, often a mark of weakness of character and will, which is to
be known to all men. It needs a strong will and much self-restraint to
show the gentleness of Christ; it means the temper kept in check when
slighting, insulting or unkind words are said; it means keeping silence
when misjudged or falsely accused because "JESUS was silent;" it means
keeping back the cutting word or the stinging sarcasm and letting them
die away before His Presence; it means giving up a cherished plan or
desire and letting no one except Him Who asks for the sacrifice know
what it costs; it means being able to let a matter drop, though we may
be in the right--such is the gentleness of Christ, which we have to make
known so that by our behaviour others may be attracted to Him Who is so
nigh. What a point it would give to our preparation for His Coming this
Advent, if each day found us striving to let our gentleness win others
to Him and make them long to know the Babe of Bethlehem.