Meekness. This word can often come with negative connotations. People may see being meek as a doormat for people to walk all over. One dictionary defines meekness as “overly submissive or compliant; spiritless; tame.” Meekness begins when we put our trust in God. Then, because we trust him, we commit our way to him. We roll onto him our anxieties, frustrations, plans, relationships, jobs, and health. The quietness, openness, and vulnerability of meekness are beautiful and painful. It goes against all that we are by our sinful nature. It requires supernatural help. Patience with God is perhaps our greatest faith struggle. Fr. Rolheiser notes that “the need for patience arises out of the rhythms innate within life and within love. They need to unfold, as do flowers, according to their own innate rhythms and within their own good time. They cannot be rushed, no matter how great our impatience or how great our discomfort.” As a disciple of Jesus Christ, we commit our way of life to patiently waiting on God, for in this patience, he begins to help us learn what it is to embrace meekness. In this quiet confidence, we speak slowly and quickly listen. We become reasonable and open to correction. St. James refers to this as “the wisdom in meekness.” That is why our Lord taught that the meek will inherit the earth. It is part of the perfection of love.