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Humility, by Saint John of Avila May 13, 2015

Posted by Tantumblogo in awesomeness, Basics, catachesis, General Catholic, Glory, Grace, Interior Life, Saints, sanctity, Tradition, true leadership, Victory, Virtue.
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Of the souls named Doctor of the Church in the past few years, or proposed to be named as such, John of Avila is to my mind by far the most worthy.  No offense to St. Hildegard and Gregory of Narek, but to me, Juan de Avila’s works and influence extend far beyond theirs.

Unfortunately, this great Saint is not too widely known in the Anglosphere.  There is a book I’m reading containing some of his letters that goes some ways to dispelling that unfortunate reality.  This book is even better, but neither receives quite the traditional translation/interpretation I’d prefer.  But, they are a good start.

From the first book, Finding Confidence in Times of Trial, St. John first divides humility into five different grades, and then into 12 degrees.  The two different divisions could be viewed as building one on the other. The excerpt below is not long, but I think will provide much fruit for meditation.  I tell you, I do think blogging and humility are not very conducive to each other:

Five Grades of Humility

The first grade is that, recognizing his own baseness, a man should treat his own will with contempt

The second is outwardly to show this self-contempt both in dress and manners, and by choosing work of a mean and servile character

The third is to be patient when despised by others.

The fourth is to rejoice in being despised.

The fifth is to desire with the whole heart to be despised by others [I think this is how the early martyrs heaped coals of fire on the heads of their Roman persecutors and worked such enormous miracles of conversion.  Their incredible cooperation with Grace and suffering probably powered the subsequent conversion of Empire and Europe to a large degree. We may be blessed to have a similar opportunity!  Are we ready?!?]

Twelve Other Degrees of Humility

The first degree is the fear of God

The second is to deny our own will

The third is obedience

The fourth is patience

The fifth is the confession of sins

The sixth is contempt of oneself

The seventh is to prefer others to self, esteeming them more highly

The eighth is to avoid singularity in outward things

The ninth is to be silent unless spoken to

The tenth is not to be prompt to laughter

The eleventh is to speak little and with gravity

The twelfth is to prefer a low estate and occupation

These lists were compiled for consecrated religious, whose existence and correspondence with humility is different from those with lay vocations, but nevertheless, I think the guidance is just right.

Humility is one of those great, forgotten virtues, but it is absolutely vital.  Humility leads to self-denial, which leads to charity, which leads to sanctity, which leads to Grace and salvation.  Humility really precedes all.  And yet, as I said, I am quite convinced blogging is probably fairly opposed to its right practice.

That is why your prayers are so appreciated.  God bless you all!

 

Comments

1. Tim Thunell - May 14, 2015

Wow! I have much work to do!

Baseballmom - May 14, 2015

Starting with step one here….


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