Tag: humility
Spiritual Combat Revisited
“Spiritual Combat Revisited” is a summary of the classic book “The Spiritual Combat” by Lorenzo Scupoli (1530-1610). The original, “The Spiritual Combat”, is an uncompromising account of the ascetical life. The book presupposes a moral and theological outlook that has largely faded into the background. This is why Fr. Jonathan Robinson has taken up the… Read More ›
In the Pride of Our Times…
Many don’t realize that there’s a difference between a “skeptic” and a “naysayer.” Or used to be. These days, they’re used as synonyms, and in some cases are even defined as such. Actually, they are not. In their original forms — at least in the ancient Greek sense of the words — a skeptic meant… Read More ›
A Time of Extremes: Over praise of Youth and coddling those in error violates truth and shows no real love
A true prophet and a true friend are the same: not to be feared — like lightning, like thunder — but cherished because both a friend and prophet love you enough to want you to know the supreme truth. They want you free (who you really are). A friend tells you the truth, not just… Read More ›
Where there is deep humility thither comes the Holy Spirit
“Humility is not weakness or avoidance of conflict. It enables us to respond to a situation without becoming the central feature. It extends our vision beyond ourselves and our needs to a resolution that reconciles and serves all concerned. By withdrawing from self-assertion, humility makes honest communication possible. When we let go of our desire… Read More ›
Defining Humility
A brother questioned Abba Motius, saying, “If I go to dwell somewhere, how do you want me to live?” The old man said to him, “If you go live somewhere, do not seek to be known for anything special; do not say, for example, I do not go to the synaxis; or perhaps, I do… Read More ›
God is always present
Expect a twofold help from God in the course of your spiritual life: correction and consolation. One controls the exterior, the other works within; the first curbs arrogance, the latter inspires trust; the first begets humility, the latter strengthens the faint-hearted; the first makes one discreet, the latter devout. The first imbues us with fear… Read More ›
Is humility unrealistic in today’s society?
Modern society is full of labels and stereotypes: poor, rich, enemy, ally, good, evil, conservative or liberal. Labels can inhibit humble openness to others. They point a finger at the “other” and in the process make it almost impossible for us to listen to each other and value each other as persons. Even worse, labels… Read More ›
Always joyful
When we die, we are reduced to our real selves. We die into who we really are. In Heaven, we have the expanded intelligence of instant recognition such that we do not speak with the lips nor even necessitate a name. Our “masks” are no longer. We lose the facade we wore to work. We… Read More ›
Humility in Conversation
A man should know that a devil’s sickness is on him if he is seized by the urge in conversation to assert his opinion, however correct it may be. If he behaves this way while talking to his equals, then a rebuke from his elders may heal him. But if he carries on in this… Read More ›
Humility is the foundation of the house of love
Humility is the foundation of the house of love. Yet even that foundation sits on the firm earth of gratitude. ”Abba Peter (the Pionite) said, “We must not be puffed up when the Lord does something through our meditation, but we must rather thank him for having made us worthy to be called by him.’… Read More ›