Humility, an Introduction


When understanding any text, one must first remember that what is being presented is based on how an individual interprets it based on his/her own life experiences, background, education, etc., not to mention “rose colored” glasses. 

In this series of reflections, I would like to share with you how this 21^st century nun understands Chapter 7 of St. Benedict’s Rule on humility.  That being said, I would first like to look at a line from the Prologue as well as Chapter 5.

The first word St. Benedict uses in his Rule is obsculta (listen).  He not only encourages the monastic to hear but more importantly to pay attention with the ear of the heart – a call to act in love. When two people are truly in love, they speak in the language of the heart.  St. Benedict is calling the monastic to an even greater love – a love that can and will fill every corner of one’s being. 

Just as interesting is the first line of Chapter 5.  In reading St. Benedict’s first four steps of humility in Chapter 7 as a unit, it begins to come clear that these four steps tie to the words found  in verses 1-4:

The first step of humility is unhesitating obedience, which comes naturally to those who cherish Christ above all. Because of the holy service they have professed, or because of dread of hell and for the glory of everlasting life, they carry out the superior’s order as promptly as if the command came from God himself.

These four steps call the monastic to forsake his own will in favor of the will of God.  In putting aside self-will, one can step out in unhesitating obedience, i.e. put the needs of others above one’s own preferences.