The readings this Sunday, coming on the heels of the sermon on the plain we heard last week, invite us to reflect on a virtue that our world seems to neglect, yet it is fundamental to our call as followers of Christ. That is the virtue of meekness.

In our world, where strength is equated with dominance and power with control, meekness is frequently seen as weakness. Yet, our faith proclaims it to be a profound strength, a defining characteristic of God Himself.

Consider Jesus in today’s Gospel. He calls us to a radical way of life: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28)

Jesus did not simply preach these words – He lived them. He was mocked, struck, and scourged, had his tunic torn off him, yet He responded with gentleness. Even as He hung on the cross, He prayed for His persecutors: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

How do we describe someone who, though possessing infinite power, chooses not to retaliate but instead meets hatred with love? This is the essence of meekness – not weakness, but strength under control.

Meek men and women of the Bible demonstrated firm resolve, courage, conviction and strength. In today’s first reading, David demonstrates this virtue when he refuses to harm King Saul, despite having the opportunity. Saul’s pursuit of David was driven by jealousy and hatred, yet David chose not to let another’s evil lead him to sin. This is meekness – a refusal to be overcome by anger, an unwavering trust in God’s justice.

Our faith teaches us that meekness is a strength characteristic of God Himself. God, in His omnipotence, chooses to enter our lives in meekness, setting aside all pretensions of power to avoid overwhelming us. This divine meekness is perfected in Jesus, whose meekness defines our understanding of what it means to be truly human. For Christians, meekness does not imply weakness; rather, it is a strength that does not need to scream or assert itself aggressively.

Meekness is more synonymous with empowerment than it is with weakness. St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that meekness makes a person self-possessed. When we are overcome by anger, we lose that sense of ourselves that allows God to dwell within us. Anger excludes God; meekness invites God’s presence. 

Since meekness is self-possession in the face of adversity, it enables a person to do good in response to evil. Meekness is not cowardice, timidity, or servility. Meekness is the higher path. The main point about the meek is not their self-control, but rather their absolute faith and trust in God. Meekness is essentially an attitude or quality of heart whereby a person is willing to accept and submit without resistance to the will and desire of someone else. In the case of Christians, this is God. Hence, to be meek means to always turn to God for help, for direction, for training and for the sheer joy of this blessing.

Christ is the perfect model of meekness. At any moment, He could have called upon legions of angels to rescue Him from the cross, yet He did not. His meekness was not passivity, but a conscious choice to surrender to the Father’s will. True meekness, then, is not about being powerless, it is about using power in service of love. The virtue of meekness is often misunderstood and undervalued in our contemporary society. In a world that frequently equates strength with aggression and power, meekness is sometimes seen as a sign of weakness or passivity. However, our faith proclaims meekness to be a profound virtue, one that reflects strength, humility, and a deep trust in God.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that “meekness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 736). It calls us to a profound interior strength, one that allows us to respond to the challenges of life with grace and poise. Meekness is an invitation to surrender our egos and ambitions to God, recognizing that we do not have to defend ourselves or seek revenge when we are wronged. Instead, we trust in the Lord’s justice and mercy.

The Gospel’s message of meekness is not a call to resignation but a radical challenge to live differently.  Jesus’ teaching presents challenge to those who seek power and self-sufficiency. Jesus Christ offers himself as the ultimate model of meekness. Elsewhere, Jesus invites us to “learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” His life and ministry exemplify meekness through His interactions with the poor, the sick, and the outcasts. Jesus consistently chose compassion over condemnation and service over dominance, demonstrating that meekness is not about surrender but about a sureness of presence that spurns aggression.

Meekness, then, is not merely about personal humility but also about standing in solidarity with the poor and marginalized. It calls for an active trust in God’s justice rather than taking vengeance or seeking status. This aligns with Pope Francis’ vision of a “poor Church for the poor,” where meekness is lived out through service and solidarity.

Meekness challenges us to rethink our priorities and align our lives with the values of the Kingdom of God. It calls us to be patient with others, forgive those who wrong us, and seek peaceful resolutions to conflicts. Meekness involves recognizing our limitations and relying on God’s strength rather than our own.

As we navigate our lives, heed the call of Jesus to embrace meekness. Meek people begin by trusting God. They believe that he will work for them and vindicate them when others oppose them. Biblical meekness is rooted in the deep confidence that God is for you and not against you. True strength lies in surrendering our will to God and embodying His love in our interactions with others.