Lent: Steps of Humility
We evangelicals excel at keeping our conversations in the realm of the theoretical and theological. Monks, on the other hand, tend to be eminently pragmatic. The entire life of a monk is structured around the spiritual disciplines, which means that monks tend to be pretty good at fleshing out in practice what we like to write about in theory.
One of the most dominant religious figures of the middle ages was Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12th-century Benedictine monk who knew the Bible like the back of his hand (keep in mind, this was before the printing press). When asked by a novice to write down some practical advice about humility, Bernard contrasted the "steps of pride" with the "steps to humility." May his words serve as some practical fodder for us in fleshing out the "how" of humility.
FROM "ON HUMILITY AND PRIDE", by Bernard of Clairvaux
Pride = Curiosity about what is not one's proper concern.
Humility = Containment of one's interests, which shows itself in a humble bearing and lowered eyes.
Pride = Light-mindedness: chatter and exclamations about things which do not matter.
Humility = Quiet and restrained speech.
Pride = Laughing about nothing; foolish merriment.
Humility = Reluctance to laugh.
Pride = Boasting and talking too much.
Humility = Keeping silent unless asked to speak.
Pride = Trying to be different; claiming special rights.
Humility = Regarding oneself as having no special rights in the community.
Pride = Thinking oneself holier than others.
Humility = Thinking oneself less holy than others.
Pride = Interfering presumptuously in the affairs of others.
Humility = Thinking oneself unworthy to take initiative.
Pride = Self-justification; defending one's sinful actions.
Humility = Confessing one's sins.
Pride = Insincere confession.
Humility = Patience in the face of accusation.
Pride = Rebellion against superiors.
Humility = Submission to superiors.
Pride = Feeling free to sin.
Humility = Desiring no freedom to exercise one's will.
Pride = Habitual sinning.
Humility = Constant watchfulness against sin.
I don't know about you, but this has already given me plenty to ponder (and repent of).
SCRIPTURE READING: Deuteronomy 30
One of the most dominant religious figures of the middle ages was Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12th-century Benedictine monk who knew the Bible like the back of his hand (keep in mind, this was before the printing press). When asked by a novice to write down some practical advice about humility, Bernard contrasted the "steps of pride" with the "steps to humility." May his words serve as some practical fodder for us in fleshing out the "how" of humility.
FROM "ON HUMILITY AND PRIDE", by Bernard of Clairvaux
Pride = Curiosity about what is not one's proper concern.
Humility = Containment of one's interests, which shows itself in a humble bearing and lowered eyes.
Pride = Light-mindedness: chatter and exclamations about things which do not matter.
Humility = Quiet and restrained speech.
Pride = Laughing about nothing; foolish merriment.
Humility = Reluctance to laugh.
Pride = Boasting and talking too much.
Humility = Keeping silent unless asked to speak.
Pride = Trying to be different; claiming special rights.
Humility = Regarding oneself as having no special rights in the community.
Pride = Thinking oneself holier than others.
Humility = Thinking oneself less holy than others.
Pride = Interfering presumptuously in the affairs of others.
Humility = Thinking oneself unworthy to take initiative.
Pride = Self-justification; defending one's sinful actions.
Humility = Confessing one's sins.
Pride = Insincere confession.
Humility = Patience in the face of accusation.
Pride = Rebellion against superiors.
Humility = Submission to superiors.
Pride = Feeling free to sin.
Humility = Desiring no freedom to exercise one's will.
Pride = Habitual sinning.
Humility = Constant watchfulness against sin.
I don't know about you, but this has already given me plenty to ponder (and repent of).
SCRIPTURE READING: Deuteronomy 30
posted by Bob | 7:59 AM
5 Comments:
i've read the rule of St. Benedict and, like Clairvaux, i appreciated his monastic humility quite a lot. i notice in both their writings it's only solemn humility. i'm trying to figure out what part joy should play in humility. is humble delight in God one of the things that keeps humility as blessed self-forgetfulness rather than becoming ascetic self-deprecation? have any thoughts/insights?
That was great, any recommended books by this guy?
Jenny, you know my answer... the gospel (joy in Christ) is what allows humility to be joyful. So... yes. I think to the extent that the monastic tradition has focused on asceticism rather than gospel theology, it reflects a more solemn humility that sometimes does not seem joyful.
Andy... no recommendations. I read some of Bernard's work in a book of compiled writings... just do a search on Amazon and see what you find. Anything by Bernard is going to be good.
"reluctance to laugh." lighten up bernie.
Bernard is so "unAmerican", so "un-21st century". Restrained speech, not budding into others' business, submission, having no special rights, etc.
I read this post quickly the other day, and it keeps needling into my thoughts as I'm getting ready to sleep each night.
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