This document discusses the concept of meekness. It provides various definitions of meekness, including being gentle and kind while empty of selfishness and earthly ambition. Meekness means never returning evil for evil but overcoming evil with good. The document explores biblical figures considered meek like Moses and Jesus, noting that meekness does not mean weakness but can involve sacrificing oneself. Ways to develop meekness include combating evil through love. Being meek means inheriting complete communion with God and yielding to God's will.

1. Blessed are the meek For they shall inherit the earth

2. MeeknessWhat is meekness?What examples do we have?How can we achieve it?What does it mean to inherit the earth?

3. The Greek Word: ΠραόςTo make tame

4. AristotleMeekness is the midway point between anger and indifference

5. Psalm 37:11“But the meek shall inherit the earth” «οἱ δὲ πραεῖς κληρονομήσουσι γῆν»עֲנָוִיםanavim = lowly ones

6. Meek???Meek is the Old Norse word for "soft"— mjark.

7. What is meekness?Meekness is to reject every thought and action of external coercion, hostility, and violence. It is to be gentle and kind, and to be empty of all selfishness and earthly ambition.

8. To be meek means to be gentle and kind, to be empty of all selfishness and earthly ambition. It means, in a word, never to return evil for evil, but always in everything to overcome evil by good. (Cf. Romans 12:14-21)

9. “Meekness is to have the firm and calm conviction that the good is more powerful than evil, and that the good ultimately is always victorious”Fr. Thomas Hopko

10. Uriah HeapI’m ever so ‘umble... An ‘umble, ‘umble man

11. Abraham

12. Moses"meek above everyone on the face of the earth" (Numbers 12:3).

13. In the Psalms“God leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble his ways.”“God adorns the humble with victory”

14. : "Here I am, the servant of the Lord:Let it be with me just as you have said" (Lk 1:38).

15. Jesus and the MoneyChangers

16. Meekness Does Not Deny Force

17. Meekness Does Not Mean WeaknessIt is clear then that true meekness does not mean cowardice or capitulation, but involves persistence in completing its mission whatever the obstacles may be, even if doing so leads to death. The meek person does not wish to destroy others, but does not retreat from sacrificing himself if the need arises. Jesus the meek was not passive but firm in his position toward the glorious of the world. This is apparent in the incident told to us by the evangelist Luke: “The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him: Get out, and depart from here, for Herod will kill you. And he said unto them: Go you, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Nevertheless I must walk today, and tomorrow, and the following day” (Luke 13:31-33). We find that same determination and resolve — the determination of someone who gave his life voluntarily for the sake of completing the mission of love which he took upon himself — in the position of Jesus when he fell into the hands of his enemies and during his unjust trial: we see him acting toward his frightened and nervous enemies and judges as if he were the judge, not as one to be judged, in meekness accompanied by strong, quiet resolve.

18. Meekness Does Not Contradict Combating Evil

21. Ways to Gain Meekness

22. The Violence of Love

23. St. Moses the Black

24. St. Seraphim of Sarov

25. St. Tikhon of Zadonsk

26. Staretz Ambrose of Optina“Whoever slanders us - showers us with gifts, and whoever praises us - robs us .”

27. What meekness isn’t?Not moralisticNot Anger ManagementNot just a virtueBeing a wimpNever disagreeingBeing a doormat

28. ... will inherit the earth... Where God lives and rulesIn complete relationship and communion with GodYielding to God’s Call and Purpose