Tag: humility
High-Five Nation: Where has Humility Gone?
On Sunday evenings, my local NPR station airs old radio programs. A few weeks ago it broadcast the episode of the show “Command Performance” that aired the day World War II ended. “Command Performance” was a variety show that went out to the troops around the world. On V-J Day, Frank Sinatra appeared, along with… Read More ›
Five Paths of Repentance
Would you like me to list also the paths of repentance? They are numerous and quite varied, and all lead to heaven. A first path of repentance is the condemnation of your own sins: Be the first to admit your sins and you will be justified. For this reason, too, the prophet wrote: I said:… Read More ›
How Should I Behave?
A brother questioned Abba Motius, saying, “If I go to dwell somewhere, how do you want me to live?” The old man said, “If you live somewhere, do not seek to be known for anything special; do not say, for example, I do not go to the synaxis (common prayers); or perhaps, I do not… Read More ›
Scripture Mirrors our Soul
Holy Scripture is presented to the mind’s eye as a kind of mirror so that our inner appearance can be seen in it. In this mirror we recognize both the ugliness and the beauty of our soul. We can tell what progress we are making, or see our utter lack of progress. . . …. Read More ›
The Value of True Humility
It is almost impossible to overestimate the value of true humility and its power in the spiritual life. For the beginning of humility is the beginning of blessedness and the consummation of humility is the perfection of all joy. Humility contains in itself the answer to all the great problems of the life of the… Read More ›
Catholics to Honor St. John Vianney 150 Years after His Death
CNA STAFF, Aug 2, 2009 / 02:16 pm (CNA).- On Tuesday, August 4, the Church will celebrate the feast day of St. John Vianney, patron of priests. This day will mark the 150th anniversary of the saint’s death and comes during the newly-begun Year for Priests. John Vianney, also known as the Holy Curé de… Read More ›
Listening Carefully
. . . it is Christ who speaks through human agents-the less overpowering they are, the more attentively the abbot must strain to hear what they say. The same principle applies here that Benedict enunciates concerning the poor: The terror that great ones inspire assures them of respect (53:15), but it is in listening carefully… Read More ›
Truth to be Loved more than Self
He, therefore, who sets himself to act evilly and yet wishes others to be silent, is a witness against himself, for he wishes himself to be loved more than the truth, which he does not wish to be defended against himself. There is, of course, no man who so lives as not sometimes to sin,… Read More ›