Oblate Program at Belmont Abbey, NC

Tag: pride

St. Benedict for Beginners – The Fifth Step to Humility

The fifth step of humility is that a man should in humble confession reveal to his Abbot all the evil thoughts that come into his mind, and any wrongful actions that he had done in secret.’ Nothing helps us make a quantum leap forward in the quest for humility than a good and complete confession…. Read More ›

Share

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 ›

Share

Does not love make amends?

I will flee from the sight of the anger of the Lord and go to a place of refuge, to that zeal of mercy which burns sweetly and wholly purifies. Does not love make amends? Truly it does powerfully. I have read that it covers a multitude of sins. But I would ask this: is… Read More ›

Share

Live not for ourselves but for others

It is therefore of supreme importance that we consent to live not for ourselves but for others. When we so this we will be able first of all to face and accept our own limitations. As long as we secretly adore ourselves, our own deficiencies will remain to torture us with an apparent defilement. But… Read More ›

Share

Enter by the narrow gate

Amma Theodora said, ‘Let us strive to enter by the narrow gate, Just as the trees, if they have not stood before the winter’s storms cannot bear fruit, so it is with us; this present age is a storm and it is only through many trials and temptations that we can obtain an inheritance in… Read More ›

Share

Kind and humble speech would turn evil men to better

Once when the Abbot Macarius was climbing up the mountain in Nitria, he bade his disciple go a little way before him. And as he went on ahead, the disciple met a priest of the idols, hurrying swiftly, and carrying a great log. And the disciple shouted at him, “Where are you going so fast,… Read More ›

Share

On Staying Humble

An old man said, “Every time a thought of superiority or vanity (pride) moves you, examine your conscience to see if you have kept all the commandments, if you love your enemies and are grieved at their sins, if you consider yourself as an unprofitable servant and the greatest sinner of all. Even then, do… Read More ›

Share

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 ›

Share

Cardinal Bergoglio Comments Applies to Laity as well as Pastors

Before you set this aside because the message was addressed to Bishops, if read properly it applies to the laity as well. It is a warning to all the faithful, not just the hiearchy. Please prayerly reflect on what the Cardnal had to say. Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 13, 2009 / 04:04 pm (CNA).- The… Read More ›

Share

On the Observance of Lent: Observances during Lent

[Return to part one] Benedict speaks of monks undertaking particular observances to mark Lent for themselves. What is the purpose? It is that we have this joy of spiritual longing. That Lent is really a time of freeing ourselves and opening ourselves more and more to the fullness of Easter. We can answer these questions… Read More ›

Share