Once again, reading the fathers on humility is humbling. Gradually our eyes are opened to the nature and reality of virtue; not as human reason or understanding grasp, but as it has been revealed to us in Christ and through the gift of His Spirit.
This stands forth most of all in thinking about humility among the virtues. It is not self hatred. It is not self contempt. It is living in He who is Truth. For this reason, both the Evergetinos and St. John Climacus describe humility as the “door to the kingdom” and to participation in the very glory of God. It is also for this reason that we discover that just as the proud feel satisfaction with honors so those who are humble of mind are especially thankful for the attacks and scorn which befall them in this world.
Such things free us from illusion; not only the illusions we have about ourselves but also the illusions that others often form about us. To be thought of as virtuous and holy, when in reality one understands that all is Grace, can be the bitterest of things to swallow. To know oneself as loved with an everlasting love and having been shown the mercy of God makes the thought of evaluating oneself in any measure seem absurd.
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Text of chat during the group:
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Sixty-Two Part II
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis VIII Part III
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Sixty-One Part II, Letter Sixty-Two Part I
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis VIII Part II
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Sixty-one Part I
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis VIII Part I
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Sixty Part II
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis VII Part IV
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Sixty Part I
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis VII Part III
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Fifty-nine Part III
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis VII Part II
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Fifty-nine Part II
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis VI Part III and Hypothesis VII Part I
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Fifty-eight Part III and Letter Fifty-nine Part I
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis VI Part II
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Fifty-eight Part II
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis V Part VII & Hypothesis VI Part I
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Fifty-eight
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis V Part VI
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