The Vocation of the Lowly.

"And he said to him: Behold there is a man of God in this city, a famous man: all that he saith, cometh certainly to pass. Now, therefore, let us go thither, perhaps he may tell us of our way, for which we are come." [1Kgs 9:6]

The recourse to prayer should be for us a normal procedure under all circumstances. There is no doubt, however, that it should be stressed when circumstances become more difficult.

Note that it was the servant who suggested that they turn to the prophet: sometimes the lowly ones are wiser than the learned and the great.

Of the truly lowly, the little ones the Eternal Wisdom spoke:

"...I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones" [Matt 11:25]

It is written: "... I will destroy the wisdom of the wise: and the prudence of the prudent I will reject....  For see your vocation, brethren, that there are not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble. But the foolish things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the wise: and the weak things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the strong. And the base things of the world and the things that are contemptible, hath God chosen: and things that are not, that he might bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his sight. [1 Cor. 1:19; 26-29]

Oh that we would learn from the good lowly one how to make progress in virtue.

We are called to the high plane of virtue and perfection of charity : how often to choose to ascend the high plane of pride; Pride, says the Eternal Wisdom, "goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall" [Prov. 16:18]