St. Benedict has 12 different levels/steps of humility in The Rule. These were written for monasteries, but can be applied to our lives as well. Iâll let you know if I ever complete the 1st step
. Pretty hard reading for a salesmanâŚ
I can only give brief excerpts, as they are very involved:
1 - âthat a man keeps the
fear of God always *before his eyes *(Ps 35[36]:2) and never forgets itâŚWhile he guards himself at every moment from sins and vices of thought or tongue, of hand or foot, of self-will or bodily desire, let him recall that he is always seen by God in heaven, that his actions everywhere are in Godâs sight and are reported by angels at every hour.â
2 - âthat a man loves not his own will nor takes pleasure in the satisfaction of his desires; rather he shall imitate by his actions that saying of the Lord: *I have come not to my own will, but the will of him who sent me *(John 6:38).â
3 - âthat a man submits to his superior in all obedience for the love of God, imitating the Lord of whom the Apostle says: *He became obedient even to death *(Phil 2:8).â
4 - âthat in this obedience under difficult, unfavorable or even unjust conditions, his heart quietly embraces suffering and endures it without weakening or seeking escape.â
5 - âthat a man does not conceal from his abbot (spiritual director, confessor - rlg) any sinful thoughts entering his heart, or any wrongs committed in secret, but rather confesses them humbly.â
6 - âcontent with the lowest and most menial treatment, and regards himself as a poor and worthless workman in whatever task he is given.â
7- ânot only admits with his tongue but is also convinced in his heart that he is inferior to all and of less value, humbling himself and saying with the Prophet: *I am truly a worm, not a man, scorned by men and depsised by the people *(Ps 21[22]:7)â
8 - âdoes what is endorsed by theâŚexample set by his superiors.â
9 - âcontrols his tongue and remains silent, not speaking unless asked a question, for Scripture warns, *In a flood of words you will not avoid sinning *(Prov 10:19)â
10 - ânot given to ready laughter, for it is written: *Only a fool raises his voice in laughter *(Sir 21:23)â
11 - âspeaks gently and without laughter, seriously and with becoming modesty, briefly and reasonably, but without raising his voice, as it is written: âA wise man is known by his few words.ââ
12 - âalways manifests humility in his bearing no less than in his heart, so that it is evidentâŚanywhere. Whether he sits, walks or stand, his head must be bowed and his eyes cast down. Judging himself always guilty on account of his sins, he should consider that he is already at the fearful judgement and constantly say in his heart what the publican in the Gospel said with downcast eyes: *Lord, I am a sinner, not worthy to look up to heaven *(Luke 18:13)â
:yup:
To answer your question⌠I definitly am not!
