Thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit.
Isaiah 57:15 NRSV
Three Ways of Being Humble
By Ignatius of Loyola
The first way of being humble is to so lower and humble myself, as far as is in my power, that in all things I may be obedient to the law of God our Lord.
The second way of being humble is more perfect than the first. I do not desire or feel myself strongly attached to having wealth rather than poverty, or honor rather than dishonor, or a long life rather than a short one.
The third way of being humble is the most perfect. I desire and choose poverty with Christ poor rather than wealth; contempt with Christ laden with it rather than honors. I desire to be regarded as a useless fool for Christ, who before me was regarded as such, rather than as a wise or prudent person in this world.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
James 4:10 NRSV
Sunday
Matthew 18:1-5
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
One day Abba Arsenius consulted an old Egyptian monk about his own thoughts. Someone noticed this and said to him, “Abba Arsenius, how is it that you, with such a good Latin and Greek education, ask this peasant about your thoughts?” He replied, “I have indeed been taught Latin and Greek, but I do not know even the alphabet of this peasant.”
Sayings of the Desert Fathers – Arsenius (ca. 360-449)
You must never regard any spiritual work as firmly established, and this is especially true of prayer; but always pray as if beginning for the first time. When we do a thing for the first time, we come to it fresh and with a new-born enthusiasm. If, when starting to pray, you always approach it as though you had never yet prayed properly, and only now for the first time wished to do so, you will always pray with a fresh and lively zeal. And all will go well. If you are not successful in your prayer, do not expect success in anything. It is the root of all.
Theophan the Recluse (1815-1894)
Monday
Luke 6:20-26 (Matthew 5:3-12)
“Ah Holy Jesus, How Has Thou Offended”
If a man is possessed of humility and poverty, and if he does not judge others, the fear of God will come to him.
Sayings of the Desert Fathers –Euprepius
As soon as humility decreases, coolness enters. For when the soul begins to regard itself as something important, the Lord at once withdraws; and, left by itself, the soul grows cold.
Theophan the Recluse (1815-1894)
Tuesday
Luke 14:7-11
“Just as I Am, Without One Plea”
Some Fathers went to Panephysis to see Abba Joseph and ask him what kind of reception they should give to the brethren to whom they gave lodging, whether they ought to mix with them. Abba Joseph went inside his cell and put on beggar’s garments and walked between them. Then he went back in to put on his own clothes and came out and sat between them. He said to them, “Was I changed by those contemptible garments? No, I remained the same. In both sets of clothes, the former did not change me, and the latter have not done me harm."
Sayings of the Desert Fathers – Joseph of Panephysis (ca. 400)
What have you to fear above all else? Self-satisfaction, self appreciation, self-conceit, and all other things beginning with self. Kindle and maintain a contrite spirit, a humble and a contrite heart.
Theophan the Recluse (1815-1894)
Wednesday
Luke 18:9-14
“No, Not One!”
When someone is occupied with his own faults, he does not see those of his neighbor.
Sayings of the Desert Fathers – Moses, released Negro slave, converted robber (ca. 350)
Progress in the spiritual life is shown by an ever-increasing realization of our own worthlessness. A sense of our own righteousness does us great harm. The moment this feeling arises, it is a sure sign that our efforts have gone wrong. The greater your conviction that you are a sinner, the more certain it is that you are traveling on the right path.
Theophan the Recluse (1815-1894)
Thursday
Romans 12:1-3
“Amazing Grace”
Whenever you hear an old man praising his neighbor more than himself, it is because he has reached a great stature.
Sayings of the Desert Fathers – Mark (ca. 380)
The worst thing of all is self-exaltation, vanity, condemnation of others. Accustom yourself to rejoice more when you are treated with contempt, reproached and even wronged, than when you are welcomed and kindly treated. In this lies the surest way to humility.
Theophan the Recluse (1815-1894)
Friday
Philippians 2:3-10
“Standing in the Need of Prayer”
As Abba Pambo was dying he said, “I am going to God as one who has not yet begun to serve him."
Sayings of the Desert Fathers – Pambo (ca. 303-373)
The feeling of self-importance is deeply hidden, but it controls the whole of our life. Its first demand is that everything should be as we wish it, and soon as this is not so we complain to God and are annoyed with people.
Theophan the Recluse (1815-1894)
Saturday
1 Peter 5:5-6
“Have Thine Own Way, Lord!”
If you want to be humble, learn to bear generously what others unfairly inflict upon you.
Sayings of the Desert Fathers – Serapion
To be offended at lack of attention is to consider oneself worthy of attention, and consequently to set a high value upon oneself in the heart; in other words, to have a heart swollen with pride. Is this good? Is it not our duty to endure wrongful accusations? Certainly it is. We have to endure every unpleasantness without exception, and endure gladly, without losing our inward peace.
Theophan the Recluse (1815-1894)
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