St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility: Step 7

The Seventh Step of the Ladder of Humility is that a person not only admit outwardly but is also inwardly convinced that one is inferior to all and of less value. This is rather similar to the previous Sixth Step. The two go hand-in-hand, it seems to me. If you accept the lowest and most …

Continue reading ‘St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility: Step 7’ »

St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility: Step 6

The Sixth Step on the Ladder of Humility is that a person be content with the lowest and most menial treatment, and regards themselves as a poor and worthless worker in whatever task given. This seemingly goes contrary to modern psychobabble regarding self-esteem and empowerment and such. So getting away from the apparent harshness and …

Continue reading ‘St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility: Step 6’ »

St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility: Step 4

Yesterday I mentioned that the Third Step on St. Benedict’s Ladder of Humility is about obedience and that the next step tells you how to deal with it as “obedience” is alien to today’s worldly people bent on personal self-determination. OK, the Fourth Step is that if this obedience is difficult, unfavorable, or even unjust, …

Continue reading ‘St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility: Step 4’ »

St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility: Step 3

The 3rd step on St. Benedict’s Ladder of Humility may be especially troublesome to those not prone to humility, or who are too rooted in the ways of the world. It says that a person should submit to their superior in all obedience for the love of God, in imitation of Jesus. From St. Paul’s …

Continue reading ‘St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility: Step 3’ »

St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility: Step 2

The second step on the Ladder of Humility is that a person should not love his own will nor take pleasure in satisfying their own desires. This is very similar to the Third Step of 12 Step recovery movements: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God …

Continue reading ‘St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility: Step 2’ »

St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility: Step 1

In St. Benedict’s Rule, the first step on his ladder of humility is that one must always keep the fear of God before one’s eyes. As I have said earlier, “fear” isn’t raw, naked terror, but more along the lines of respect. After all, who is God? He is the One who made you: you …

Continue reading ‘St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility: Step 1’ »