All Eyes on ME

Now the ladder erected is our life on earth, and if we humble our hearts the Lord will raise it to heaven. We may call our body and soul the sides of this ladder, into which our divine vocation has fitted the various steps of humility and discipline as we ascend. (RB80.7.8-9)

We come again to the study of humility. One of those virtues that we are to desire; yet one can seem pretty elusive.

I grew up with the idea that everything in life was supposed to be about ME. It became apparent at an early age that I had a need to be verbal, very verbal. So, I was taught to express myself.

I did a great job at learning that lesson: I have thoughts, I have feelings, I had opinions...about almost everything. I have likes and dislikes; I have strengths; I have passions; I have desires; I have a need to be noticed. As you can tell, lots of my life can be about me sometimes.

Chapter 7, "On Humility", gives me a chance to pause, give my "me" focus a rest. Benedict reminds me that the end goal of life is eternal life with God in heaven. He believes that I cannot get there on my own, through focusing on how great I am and what I can accomplish. It is only through remembering who God is and who I am that the goal can be reached. The secret to reaching eternal life is remembering that all is gift from God. It is God who provides all the material and the strength necessary to live a good life.

How am I using God's gifts today?

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Going Up and Coming Down

Have you ever noticed that just when things seem to be going great, everything is finally on track you hit a bump in the road? At least I usually do.

Just when I start focusing on myself and how great things are going something happens to bring me back to earth, to my reality. It could be a failure or set back or something as minor as a cold.

I need to be reminded daily to praise God for my abundant blessings.

Sr. Catherine,OSB

A New Kind of #1

...a monk is content with the lowest and most menial treatment,… (RB 7.49).

Humility is starting to lose its appeal. Not only am I being asked to be honest about whom I really am, now Benedict invites me to be happy with the worst and with being the last! What kind of program would ask that of me?

This section causes major problems for me since I’ve always thought that it is healthy and natural to be competitive, to want to be #1. Here I am invited to be #1 in different way—to be #1 in love, patience, gentleness, trust, listening and serving…a new kind of #1. In this kind of quiet competition, I can strive to be #1 in imitating Jesus and the saints. Those aren’t bad role models to have.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

A Roller-Coaster Ride

Without doubt, this descent and ascent can signify only that we descend by exaltation and ascend by humility. (RB 7.7)

Have you ever ridden a roller-coaster? Remember how the going up or ascent was unusually calm and peaceful and you found yourself quietly enjoying the sights? And remember how the coming down or descent left you breathless and exhilarated, and perhaps a little fearful, and you found yourself wildly waving your hands and screaming.

I think St. Benedict is telling us that the practice of humility is like a roller- coaster ride. Acquiring humility is like the ride to the top; it is always calm and peaceful and relaxing; it helps me face and accept the real me. Letting go of exaltation is like the ride to the bottom; it is always breath-taking and exhilarating, and fearful; I do not want to unmask and let others see the real me.

Sr. Veronica, OSB

An Upside Down World

…Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted (Luke 14:11; 18:14) (RB 7.1)

This is an upside down world. What should be up is down and the down is up! How confusing!

Humility seems to tell me that I should never think about myself or acknowledge my strengths and uniqueness. At first glance, humility is asking me to melt into the background, become invisible. An image which to me is about as appealing as luke warm dishwater. Yuck!

True humility, though, has to do with an awareness of the truth of who I really am. I know that I am not the best at everything or the worst. I am created and loved by God. I have been given many talents and abilities that I am invited to use for the sake of others.

How am I using these gifts today?

Sr. Catherine, OSB