What Is Self-Effacement?
It is the quality of that which diminishes or disappears. Thus, it is the preparation for and the act leading to humility which in turn is the foundation stone of the spiritual life. If one acquires humility, then one prepares the way of the Lord. The Gospel shows us that John the Baptist is one of the best examples of self-effacement. “Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight,” he said. “Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill laid low” (Lk 3:4-5). John simply attributed to himself the role of a voice crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.” And John added, in reference to the One who was to come: “I am not fit to loosen his sandal strap” (Lk 3:16). And again: “He must increase, while I must decrease” (Jn 3:30). There you have sentiments of deep humility which we must make our own at all times. That is the work of our interior reform which, once again, comes to the fore. Thus, the valleys are our deficiencies, our
