The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XXV: On Humility, Part II

It is a curious thing to be humbled by hearing a saint speak about humility. Yet, this is what happens. In and of itself, it reveals to us how far the human heart can be from grasping not only the nature of the virtue but what God has revealed to us in his only begotten Son. 

The Incarnation manifests to us this virtue in its full glory. The word of God, through whom all things have been created, becomes an infant, (infans), that is, “wordless one”. God draws back the veil in order that we might see and comprehend for ourselves the depth of His love and also the life and virtue that we are to embrace as those made in his image and likeness. To embrace Holy Humility, the very life of God, means to let go of our attachment to the things of this world or good deeds accomplished by our own hands. We begin to comprehend with greater clarity and firmness that all is Grace. 

To acknowledge this is to die to self and sin; it is, as John describes it, “reposing securely in the casket of modesty”. The humble heart becomes impervious and unmovable to the demons. As a quality of the Divine, it is not something that we can gauge in its perfection. John, however, works to help us understand its distinguishing characteristics.  One is struck by the fact that the humility of beginners is as different and distinct from the humility of the perfect as yeast and flour are from bread.  Purified by the fire of God‘s love it is freed from all of pride. This is something only God can reveal to us. 

God reveals himself to us in and through the gift of faith. We cannot approach him or the truth that he reveals with a consumerists mentality or seek to dissect these realities as we do with so many things in this world.  It is His light that reveals the depths of the human heart and it is His Spirit of Truth that draws us in the very depths of God.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:05:33 FrDavid Abernethy: page 181 number 4   00:09:25 David Swiderski: Have you heard about the Holy Resurrection Monestary in Wisconsin. They offer retreats but I just was wondering if they are worthwhile?   00:10:17 Jake: I was there for 3 days, it was a great retreat   00:14:07 Cindy Moran: Antiochian village?   00:36:57 Sharon Fisher: How does one try to take this step if a spouse or close friend doesn’t welcome the transformation we intend to make? You can’t just cut them off; you can be sincere in faith and not burden them with it until they see the (positive) change?   00:37:40 Carol: this discussion reminds me of Isadora from Evergetinos   00:38:32 Carol: and the indignities she embraced   00:38:58 Daniel Allen: It’s startling that the beginning is acceptance of indignity, I tend to see that as the end - or the perfected state. Yet, John says it is the first property. And that’s something.   00:39:52 Suzanne: Why is it that as long as we are alone with God at home, we maintain peace of soul and continuous prayer, but as soon as we get into conversations with others, our restraint goes out the window? For example, I got sucked into a discussion about politics earlier today, and I was unable to detect and prevent anger from arising inside me - ultimately my words took on an angry tone, and I said words I now regret. It’s like all I accomplished this morning with God was stolen from me. Basically, when tested, I fail.   00:40:38 Jeff O.: Reacted to "It’s startling that ..." with 👍   00:43:14 Suzanne: Replying to "It’s startling that ..."   Interesting.   00:43:29 Fr Marty, ND, 480-292-3381: It seems that within humility there is recognizing that God loves me, in a breathless way. When I'm around someone who genuinely loves me, I tend to love myself more when I'm with them. Feeling loved and loving myself without condemnation. it seems, helps me accept my weakness and need for God. Humility, then, becomes a natural honesty that helps me put down my defenses of my ego and let God do whatever is necessary to make me like Him and united to Him. Then, denying myself and carrying the cross I recognize to be therapeutic and seems to be the most reasonable and honest thing to do.   00:44:54 Sharon Fisher: Replying to "Why is it that as lo..."   Same here. Just recently, too. And frequently, too . . .   00:45:23 Anthony Rago: Replying to "Why is it that as lo..."     Suzanne, my studies ...   00:45:28 Daniel Allen: I haven’t read her diary but the diary of Elizabeth Liseur may be a good concrete example of what it looks like for one to be trying to live the faith while another one isn’t at all, and how to do that faithfully.   00:46:14 Suzanne: Reacted to "Same here. Just rece..." with ❤️   00:46:36 Suzanne: Reacted to "Suzanne, my studies ..." with ❤️   00:46:51 Anthony Rago: Replying to "Why is it that as lo..."     Suzanne I wouldn't t...   00:48:02 Suzanne: Replying to "Why is it that as lo..."   Fall, and get back up. Never stop.   00:52:04 Sharon Fisher: Replying to "Why is it that as lo..."   Proverbs 24:16!   00:55:28 Sharon Fisher: Reacted to "Suzanne, my studies ..." with ❤️   00:55:37 Kevin Burke: Reacted to "Suzanne, my studies …" with ❤️   00:57:57 Suzanne: Reacted to "Proverbs 24:16!" with ❤️   00:59:18 Sharon Fisher: Replying to "How does one try to ..."   Followup to the discussion: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household” (Matthew 10:34-36).   01:06:45 Sean: Stephen Hawking: "If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason—for then we would know the mind of God." That always struck me as hubris.   01:07:15 Anthony Rago: Also in regard to not prying into mysteries, does this apply to the errors of heretics? And does it apply to the orthodox whose censures might have caused more harm than good (ex. The way we used anathema which had the effect of alienating whole peoples)?   01:09:51 Patrick Caruso: In step 25:7, he says the highest degree includes 'a constant desire to learn'. However in Step 24:29 he says 'If knowledge puffs up most people, simplicity and a lack of learning can perhaps in the same measure humble them.' Is he saying that the path of knowledge is to first learn to be simple through perhaps a lack of learning to bring about true knowledge via humility and only then will we be capable of a purified desire to learn?   01:12:53 Suzanne: I’ve been putting into practice lately, taking all my thoughts to God. It’s really powerful, and it’s leading me to actually speak with Him quietly and intimately about past sins. I sense that there is a deep pride that causes us to withdraw from His gaze, and refuse to reflect upon our sins in His holy sight. Yet He has shown me that He is ardently ready and willing to discuss my sin with me, and make me understand His Providence. This, I think, is going to lead to humility in my soul.   01:15:33 Anthony Rago: Reacted to I’ve been putting in... with "❤️"   01:15:50 Fr Marty, ND, 480-292-3381: Reacted to "I’ve been putting in..." with ❤️   01:17:06 Suzanne: I so appreciate your help!   01:17:59 Cindy Moran: Thank you Father excellent session   01:18:03 Sean: prayers and gratitude Father   01:18:04 Lorraine Green: Thank you Father, good night   01:18:05 mflory: Thank you!   01:18:06 Jeff O.: Thank you!!   01:18:14 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:18:28 Sharon Fisher: And with your spirit!   01:18:29 Kevin Burke: Thank you Father!   01:18:31 David Swiderski: Thank you Father!