On the Virtue of #Humility
Beloved members of John's Repentance spiritual service, today we shall delve into the profound depths of this divine quality, which stands as a pillar of Christian life, drawing inspiration from a dialogue between a novice monk and an experienced ascetic, whose wisdom has transcended the bounds of language and culture, originating from the venerable Amharic tradition.
What, then, is humility? It is not merely a word to be tossed lightly in our daily discourse but a state of being, a disposition of the soul that aligns itself with the divine will. The errant monk, wise in his years and rich in experience, defines humility as the ability to render good unto those who have wronged us, echoing the divine exhortation of our Lord in the Gospel according to Matthew (6:42). It is a call to transcend our earthly inclinations, to rise above the pettiness of retribution and embrace the luminosity of divine love.
The path of humility is strewn with silence and suffering, for these are the currencies of the spiritual realm. The monk implores us to cherish silence in our endeavors, for in silence, we find the sanctuary of inner peace and divine communion. Furthermore, he teaches that trouble and sorrow are the monk's treasure, for through them, we crucify the flesh and partake in the divine nature.
In the crucible of suffering, the soul is refined, and the true mettle of humility is revealed. It is not enough to merely proclaim, 'I am a sinner'; one must internalize this confession, allowing it to transform the very fabric of our being. To know oneself as a sinner is to stand naked before God, stripped of pride and pretension, ready to receive the healing balm of divine mercy. The noblest of souls are those who labor tirelessly, trusting not in their own righteousness but in the boundless mercy of God.
The way of God is the way of humility, and to walk this path is to become a servant of the divine will, submitting our thoughts and desires to the scrutiny of our spiritual fathers and mothers. In every endeavor, be it noble or ignoble, we must relinquish our attachment to the outcomes, trusting solely in the providence of God.
Pride, that insidious foe of the soul, finds no refuge in the heart that embraces humility. To recognize the impurity of our thoughts and the weakness of our flesh is the beginning of wisdom. With a contrite heart and a spirit of humility, we navigate the treacherous waters of spiritual warfare, ever vigilant against the subtleties of pride and vainglory.
The monk exhorts us to be wary of self-deception, reminding us that the struggle against sin is a lifelong endeavor. We must not take pride in our struggles, lest we fall into the trap of self-righteousness. The true mark of humility is a heart cleansed of impure thoughts, a soul aligned with the divine will.
To labor in humility is to engage in the unceasing battle for the sanctity of our soul, fortified by the armor of divine grace. The service of the flesh, devoid of humility, leads to ruin and despair, for it is rooted in pride and arrogance. But the soul that dons the mantle of humility emerges victorious, transcending the limitations of the flesh and partaking in the divine nature.
In conclusion, beloved, let us embrace the virtue of humility with fervor and zeal, recognizing it as the gateway to divine communion and the harbinger of inner peace. May our hearts be ever contrite, our spirits ever humble, as we journey forth in the service of the Most High, adorned in the radiant garb of humility, to the glory of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, unto the ages of ages. Amen.
May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created.
© John's Repentance
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