-
Humility:
The
Roots of All Virtues
Contents:
Subject page
Introduction-------------------------------------------------------- 3
Humility:
1. Way towards holiness----------------------------------------- 6
2. Secret of salvation and redemption------------------------ 9
3. In the life and teaching of Jesus----------------------------- 11
4. In daily life------------------------------------------------------- 18
5. In the disciples of Jesus--------------------------------------- 22
6. How to reach humility ---------------------------------------- 25
7. Helpful guides for reaching humility as given by
the holy fathers--------------------------------------------------- 31
8. Humility and happiness-------------------------------------- 35
References & acknowledgement------------------------------- 38
Subject page
Introduction-------------------------------------------------------- 3
Humility:
1. Way towards holiness----------------------------------------- 6
2. Secret of salvation and redemption------------------------ 9
3. In the life and teaching of Jesus----------------------------- 11
4. In daily life------------------------------------------------------- 18
5. In the disciples of Jesus--------------------------------------- 22
6. How to reach humility ---------------------------------------- 25
7. Helpful guides for reaching humility as given by
the holy fathers--------------------------------------------------- 31
8. Humility and happiness-------------------------------------- 35
References & acknowledgement------------------------------- 38
1-2
HUMILITY – THE ROOTS OF ALL VIRTUES
INTRODUCTION
Let us take a look into the greatest virtues in the
lives of our known saints. It might help us to
pursue the same, in hope of reaching the
inheritance of the heavenly kingdom.
Certainly, no one attracts our attention more than
the Virgin Mary, from Nazareth of Galilee, who was
divinely selected to be the mother of Jesus Christ.
What great virtues did she have to deserve to be
selected between all the daughters of Judah?
This can be found from her answers to the Angel
Gabriel, who was sent by God to announce to her
this message: “Rejoice highly favored one, the Lord
is with you; blessed you among women!”... “And
behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring
forth a Son, and shall call his name Jesus. He will
be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest;
and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His
father David”. “...and of His kingdom there will be
no end.” Then Mary said to the Angel, “How can this
be, since I do not know a man?” “And the angel
answered and said to her, the Holy Spirit will come
upon you, and the power of the Highest will
overshadow you; therefore, also, the Holy One who
is to be born will be called the Son of God.” Then
Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord!
Let it be according to your word.”
INTRODUCTION
Let us take a look into the greatest virtues in the
lives of our known saints. It might help us to
pursue the same, in hope of reaching the
inheritance of the heavenly kingdom.
Certainly, no one attracts our attention more than
the Virgin Mary, from Nazareth of Galilee, who was
divinely selected to be the mother of Jesus Christ.
What great virtues did she have to deserve to be
selected between all the daughters of Judah?
This can be found from her answers to the Angel
Gabriel, who was sent by God to announce to her
this message: “Rejoice highly favored one, the Lord
is with you; blessed you among women!”... “And
behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring
forth a Son, and shall call his name Jesus. He will
be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest;
and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His
father David”. “...and of His kingdom there will be
no end.” Then Mary said to the Angel, “How can this
be, since I do not know a man?” “And the angel
answered and said to her, the Holy Spirit will come
upon you, and the power of the Highest will
overshadow you; therefore, also, the Holy One who
is to be born will be called the Son of God.” Then
Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord!
Let it be according to your word.”
3
Now
when Mary arose in those days and went into
the
hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, to
serve
her relative Elizabeth during her pregnancy
and
until her full time came for delivery, a son,
named
John, the prophet of the Highest. When
Mary
entered the house of Zacharias, and greeted
Elizabeth,
she spoke out with a loud voice and said,
“Blessed
are you among women, and blessed is the
fruit
of your womb. But why is this granted to
me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to
me?
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the
Lord,
and my spirit has rejoices in God my
Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of
His
maidservant; …and then she continued to
say:
He has scattered the proud in the
imagination
of their hearts. He has put down
the
mighty from their thrones, and exalted the
lowly…”
Evidently
Mary was exemplary in her humbleness.
She
is truly a model to follow, because of her
meekness
and lowliness. For her role in God’s plan,
the
world salvation, and as the mother of the
Savior,
Jesus Christ; her place is above all saints,
and
the above all heavenly angels.
Humility
and a meek heart, before God and people,
are
the rocks upon which all other virtues stand.
This
is evident in the sermon on the mountain,
when
our Lord started by saying: “Blessed are the
poor
in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heavens...”
and continued to say: “Blessed are
the
meek, for they will inherit the earth”.
(Mat.5:3-5)
4
Alongside
this teaching of our Lord, St. Paul wrote
to the Ephesians: “I, therefore, the prisoner of the
Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling
with which you were called, with all lowliness
and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing
with one another in love.” (Eph.4:1, 2).
Apparently, humility is an essential behavior for all
Christians serving inside or outside the church. It
seems that most of the problems or conflicts arise
from selfishness, self-pride and individuality, “me
first”; instead of following Jesus and His teaching:
“Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart” (Mat. 11:29).
As Christians, we should follow our faith with good
deeds. Faith is proved by the good deeds. As St.
James said: “Thus also faith by itself, if it does
not have works, is dead.” (Jas.2:17)
People sometimes speak of humility and meekness
as something that would rob us of what is noble
and bold. If only they would realize that this is the
nobility of the kingdom of heaven, that is the royal
spirit that the King of Heaven displayed, that this is
godlike to humble oneself and to become the
servant of all! . This is the path to the gladness and
the glory of Christ’s presence in us, of His power
resting upon us.
Certainly, humility does not contradict with
declaring the truth; nor to protect and defend your
rights. But we should this with humility and
meekness. The question is how we can do it. This
is the subject of this book.
to the Ephesians: “I, therefore, the prisoner of the
Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling
with which you were called, with all lowliness
and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing
with one another in love.” (Eph.4:1, 2).
Apparently, humility is an essential behavior for all
Christians serving inside or outside the church. It
seems that most of the problems or conflicts arise
from selfishness, self-pride and individuality, “me
first”; instead of following Jesus and His teaching:
“Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart” (Mat. 11:29).
As Christians, we should follow our faith with good
deeds. Faith is proved by the good deeds. As St.
James said: “Thus also faith by itself, if it does
not have works, is dead.” (Jas.2:17)
People sometimes speak of humility and meekness
as something that would rob us of what is noble
and bold. If only they would realize that this is the
nobility of the kingdom of heaven, that is the royal
spirit that the King of Heaven displayed, that this is
godlike to humble oneself and to become the
servant of all! . This is the path to the gladness and
the glory of Christ’s presence in us, of His power
resting upon us.
Certainly, humility does not contradict with
declaring the truth; nor to protect and defend your
rights. But we should this with humility and
meekness. The question is how we can do it. This
is the subject of this book.
5
(1)-HUMILITY:
WAY TOWARDS HOLINESS
“Pursue Holiness, without which no one will see
the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14)
It was said that humility is the proper estimate of
oneself. And Isaiah prophesized saying:” I have
stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious
people, who walk in a way that is not good,
according to their own thoughts; Who say, Keep to
yourself , do not come near me, for I am holier
than you! These are smokes in My nostrils,”
(Is.65:2, 5)
Individual humility is the one thing needed to allow
God’s holiness to dwell in and shine through him or
her. In Jesus - the Holy One of God, who makes us
holy- divine humility, was the secret of His life, His
death, and His exaltation. The one infallible test of
our holiness will be our humility before God and
others. Humility is the blossom and beauty of
holiness.
The chief mark of counterfeit in holiness is the lack
of humility. Every seeker of holiness needs to be on
guard lest unconsciously what was begun in the
spirit is perfected in the flesh and pride creeps in
where its presence is least expected.
Two men went into the temple to pray: The one a
Pharisee, the other a tax collector. There was no
place or position so sacred that the Pharisee could
not enter there. Pride can lift its head in the very
temple of God and make his worship the scene of
WAY TOWARDS HOLINESS
“Pursue Holiness, without which no one will see
the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14)
It was said that humility is the proper estimate of
oneself. And Isaiah prophesized saying:” I have
stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious
people, who walk in a way that is not good,
according to their own thoughts; Who say, Keep to
yourself , do not come near me, for I am holier
than you! These are smokes in My nostrils,”
(Is.65:2, 5)
Individual humility is the one thing needed to allow
God’s holiness to dwell in and shine through him or
her. In Jesus - the Holy One of God, who makes us
holy- divine humility, was the secret of His life, His
death, and His exaltation. The one infallible test of
our holiness will be our humility before God and
others. Humility is the blossom and beauty of
holiness.
The chief mark of counterfeit in holiness is the lack
of humility. Every seeker of holiness needs to be on
guard lest unconsciously what was begun in the
spirit is perfected in the flesh and pride creeps in
where its presence is least expected.
Two men went into the temple to pray: The one a
Pharisee, the other a tax collector. There was no
place or position so sacred that the Pharisee could
not enter there. Pride can lift its head in the very
temple of God and make his worship the scene of
6
its
self-exaltation. “God, I thank you that I am not
like other men, or even like this tax collector”.
(Lk.18:11)
In God’s temple, when we think we are in the holy
place, in the presence of His holiness, let us beware
of pride. “One day the angels came to present
themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came
with them”. (Job1:6)
Pride can cloth itself in the garment of praise or
penitence. Even though the words “I am not as
other men” are rejected and condemned, their spirit
may too often be found in our feelings and language
toward others our fellow worshipers and fellowmen.
There are countless assemblies of saints, mission
conventions, societies, or committees, where the
harmony has been disturbed and the work of God
hindered because men who are counted saints are
touchy and inpatient, self defensive, and self
assertive to the point of sharp judgment and
unkind words. They do not reckon others better
than themselves, and their holiness has little
meekness in it.
“Me” is the most prominent person, requiring the
best seat and highest place for itself, and feeling
grievously wounded if its claim is not recognized.
Most of the quarrels among Christian workers arise
from clamoring of this gigantic “Me”. How few of us
understand the true secret of taking our seats in
the lowest rooms!?
Our text is a parody on holiness! Jesus the Holy
One is the humble One: the holiest will always be
like other men, or even like this tax collector”.
(Lk.18:11)
In God’s temple, when we think we are in the holy
place, in the presence of His holiness, let us beware
of pride. “One day the angels came to present
themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came
with them”. (Job1:6)
Pride can cloth itself in the garment of praise or
penitence. Even though the words “I am not as
other men” are rejected and condemned, their spirit
may too often be found in our feelings and language
toward others our fellow worshipers and fellowmen.
There are countless assemblies of saints, mission
conventions, societies, or committees, where the
harmony has been disturbed and the work of God
hindered because men who are counted saints are
touchy and inpatient, self defensive, and self
assertive to the point of sharp judgment and
unkind words. They do not reckon others better
than themselves, and their holiness has little
meekness in it.
“Me” is the most prominent person, requiring the
best seat and highest place for itself, and feeling
grievously wounded if its claim is not recognized.
Most of the quarrels among Christian workers arise
from clamoring of this gigantic “Me”. How few of us
understand the true secret of taking our seats in
the lowest rooms!?
Our text is a parody on holiness! Jesus the Holy
One is the humble One: the holiest will always be
7
humblest.
“Love does not boast, it is not proud,
it is not self-seeking” (1Cor13:4, 5)
Let us take warning: There is no pride so
dangerous, subtle and insidious, as the pride of
holiness.
Flee to Jesus and hide yourselves in Him until you
are clothed with His humility. That alone is
holiness.
From the sayings of the holy fathers (The
Paradise of the Holy Fathers, Vol. II, E. A. Wallis Budge):
[The blessed Macarious behaved towards all the
brethren without any wicked suspicion, and certain
people said unto him, “Why dost thou act in this
manner? And he said, “Behold for twelve years I
have been supplicating my Lord to give me this gift,
and would you advise me to relinquish it? “ If it
happen that one of the brethren commit a sin before
the eyes of him who posses Seth no wickedness,
and he know that it is an evil thing, it is not right
that he should bear some of the pain of that has
fallen.]
it is not self-seeking” (1Cor13:4, 5)
Let us take warning: There is no pride so
dangerous, subtle and insidious, as the pride of
holiness.
Flee to Jesus and hide yourselves in Him until you
are clothed with His humility. That alone is
holiness.
From the sayings of the holy fathers (The
Paradise of the Holy Fathers, Vol. II, E. A. Wallis Budge):
[The blessed Macarious behaved towards all the
brethren without any wicked suspicion, and certain
people said unto him, “Why dost thou act in this
manner? And he said, “Behold for twelve years I
have been supplicating my Lord to give me this gift,
and would you advise me to relinquish it? “ If it
happen that one of the brethren commit a sin before
the eyes of him who posses Seth no wickedness,
and he know that it is an evil thing, it is not right
that he should bear some of the pain of that has
fallen.]
8
(2)-Humility:
Secret of Salvation and redemption
When God created the universe, it was with the
objective of making those he created partakers of
His perfection and blessedness, thus showing forth
the glory of His love and wisdom and power. God
desired to reveal himself in and through His
creatures by communicating to them as much of
His own goodness and glory as they were capable of
receiving.
And His creatures have to acknowledge that we owe
everything of our existence to God.
Humility, the place of entire dependence upon God,
is from the very nature of humanity, the first duty
and the highest virtue of His creatures.
And so pride – the loss of humility – is the road of
every sin and evil. It was when the now fallen
angels began to look up on themselves with selfcomplacency
that led to disobedience and were cast
down from the light of heaven into outer darkness.
Likewise, it was when the serpent breathed the
poison of his pride – the desire to be God – into the
hearts of our first parents that they too, fell from
their high estate into the wretchedness of which all
human have sunk.
In heavens and on earth, pride or self-exaltation
is the very gateway to hell.
And so it follows that nothing can save us but the
restoration of our lost humility: the original and
only true relationship of the creature to his God.
Jesus came to bring humility back to earth, to
Secret of Salvation and redemption
When God created the universe, it was with the
objective of making those he created partakers of
His perfection and blessedness, thus showing forth
the glory of His love and wisdom and power. God
desired to reveal himself in and through His
creatures by communicating to them as much of
His own goodness and glory as they were capable of
receiving.
And His creatures have to acknowledge that we owe
everything of our existence to God.
Humility, the place of entire dependence upon God,
is from the very nature of humanity, the first duty
and the highest virtue of His creatures.
And so pride – the loss of humility – is the road of
every sin and evil. It was when the now fallen
angels began to look up on themselves with selfcomplacency
that led to disobedience and were cast
down from the light of heaven into outer darkness.
Likewise, it was when the serpent breathed the
poison of his pride – the desire to be God – into the
hearts of our first parents that they too, fell from
their high estate into the wretchedness of which all
human have sunk.
In heavens and on earth, pride or self-exaltation
is the very gateway to hell.
And so it follows that nothing can save us but the
restoration of our lost humility: the original and
only true relationship of the creature to his God.
Jesus came to bring humility back to earth, to
9
make
us partakers of it. “He humbled Himself and
became obedient to death.”
In His coming down, He “made Himself of no
reputation, taking the form of a bondservant,
and being found in appearance as a man.” (Phil.
2:7). He did not desire to frighten us with His
Divinity, but attracted us with His humanity.
So became our redemption. His humility became
our salvation, His salvation is our humility.
Humility is not so much a virtue along with the
others, but is the root of all, because it alone takes
the right attitude before God and allows Him, as
God, to do all.
Humility is not something that will come of itself,
but rather must be made the object of special
desire, prayer, faith, and practice.
Our attitude should be the same as that of Christ
Jesus, “Who being in the form of God, did not
consider it robbery to be equal with God, but
made Himself of no reputation, taking the form
of a bond servant, and coming in the likeness
of men. And being found in the appearance as a
man, He humbled Himself and became obedient
to the point of death, even the death of the
cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted
Him and given Him the name which is above
every name.” (Phil. 2:5-8)
became obedient to death.”
In His coming down, He “made Himself of no
reputation, taking the form of a bondservant,
and being found in appearance as a man.” (Phil.
2:7). He did not desire to frighten us with His
Divinity, but attracted us with His humanity.
So became our redemption. His humility became
our salvation, His salvation is our humility.
Humility is not so much a virtue along with the
others, but is the root of all, because it alone takes
the right attitude before God and allows Him, as
God, to do all.
Humility is not something that will come of itself,
but rather must be made the object of special
desire, prayer, faith, and practice.
Our attitude should be the same as that of Christ
Jesus, “Who being in the form of God, did not
consider it robbery to be equal with God, but
made Himself of no reputation, taking the form
of a bond servant, and coming in the likeness
of men. And being found in the appearance as a
man, He humbled Himself and became obedient
to the point of death, even the death of the
cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted
Him and given Him the name which is above
every name.” (Phil. 2:5-8)
10
(3)-HUMILITY:
IN THE LIFE AND TEACHING OF JESUS
A. In the life of Jesus:
Jesus came down to us, to visit us, reconcile us
and save us. One of the fathers wrote: “With sin
there was contention between man and his creator,
and since man could not ascend to God and
reconcile with Him, God came down to man.” Yes,
He came down and continues to knock on the door
of the human heart so it may open for Him.
In His coming, He “made Himself of no reputation,
taking the form of a bondservant…and being found
in appearance as a man...” (Phil.2:7). He did not
desire to frighten us with His Divinity, but attracted
us with His humility. He also attracted us with His
love, as He went about doing good deeds.
In His Nativity, He was born in amazing simplicity:
He did not come down upon the wings of the
Cherubim, engulfed by a choir of angels. Instead He
was born from a poor orphan virgin, who was in the
care of simple carpenter. His birth was in a manger.
On a day not known to any one, but was
proclaimed to some shepherds, and then visited by
three Magi representing the estranged Gentiles… It
is a mixture of simplicity and humility, which was a
lesson for us avoid focusing on outer appearances.
IN THE LIFE AND TEACHING OF JESUS
A. In the life of Jesus:
Jesus came down to us, to visit us, reconcile us
and save us. One of the fathers wrote: “With sin
there was contention between man and his creator,
and since man could not ascend to God and
reconcile with Him, God came down to man.” Yes,
He came down and continues to knock on the door
of the human heart so it may open for Him.
In His coming, He “made Himself of no reputation,
taking the form of a bondservant…and being found
in appearance as a man...” (Phil.2:7). He did not
desire to frighten us with His Divinity, but attracted
us with His humility. He also attracted us with His
love, as He went about doing good deeds.
In His Nativity, He was born in amazing simplicity:
He did not come down upon the wings of the
Cherubim, engulfed by a choir of angels. Instead He
was born from a poor orphan virgin, who was in the
care of simple carpenter. His birth was in a manger.
On a day not known to any one, but was
proclaimed to some shepherds, and then visited by
three Magi representing the estranged Gentiles… It
is a mixture of simplicity and humility, which was a
lesson for us avoid focusing on outer appearances.
11
The
Lord Christ lived an alienated childhood far
from being famous. A part of His childhood was
threatened by the sword of Herod, and in a part of
this childhood, He was a stranger in the land of
Egypt, although He blessed it. As for His youth, we
do not know anything about it. And the little that
the Jews gave Him was “the carpenter’s son”
(Math13:15).
When He started His ministry, He lived for more
than three years without a position of leadership in
the Jewish community. The little that He was
known as among His beloved was “Teacher”. He did
not possess a house for the ministry, He did not
even have a place to lay His head (LK 9:58). He
sometimes preached from the mountain, or in the
wilderness, or in the fields, or upon the sea shore.
His strength was in His personality and not in any
appearances that surrounded Him. Loved by the
people and envied by the leaders, He was a source
of love to all, being compassionate upon everyone in
need, every sick person and upon those tormented
by evil spirits.
He had disciples who were also simple, and He
filled their hearts with love; filled their minds with
knowledge, granted them His Holy Spirit, and also
granted them special talented gifts. (Nativity Papal
Message 2008)
From the life of Jesus we learn that the virtue of
humility is nothing but the simple consent of the
creature to let God be all, the surrender of itself to
His working alone.
In Jesus, we see how both as the Son of God in
heaven and the Son of Man on earth, He took the
from being famous. A part of His childhood was
threatened by the sword of Herod, and in a part of
this childhood, He was a stranger in the land of
Egypt, although He blessed it. As for His youth, we
do not know anything about it. And the little that
the Jews gave Him was “the carpenter’s son”
(Math13:15).
When He started His ministry, He lived for more
than three years without a position of leadership in
the Jewish community. The little that He was
known as among His beloved was “Teacher”. He did
not possess a house for the ministry, He did not
even have a place to lay His head (LK 9:58). He
sometimes preached from the mountain, or in the
wilderness, or in the fields, or upon the sea shore.
His strength was in His personality and not in any
appearances that surrounded Him. Loved by the
people and envied by the leaders, He was a source
of love to all, being compassionate upon everyone in
need, every sick person and upon those tormented
by evil spirits.
He had disciples who were also simple, and He
filled their hearts with love; filled their minds with
knowledge, granted them His Holy Spirit, and also
granted them special talented gifts. (Nativity Papal
Message 2008)
From the life of Jesus we learn that the virtue of
humility is nothing but the simple consent of the
creature to let God be all, the surrender of itself to
His working alone.
In Jesus, we see how both as the Son of God in
heaven and the Son of Man on earth, He took the
12
place
of entire subordination and gave God the
Father the honor and glory due Him. What He
taught so often was true of Himself: “He who
humbles himself will be exalted” (LK18:14). As it is
written: “He humbled Himself …therefore God
exalted him to the highest place” (Phil.2:8, 9).
Jesus speaks of His relationship to the Father: “The
Son can do nothing by Himself” (Jn.5:19). (See
John 5:14, 7:16; 7:28; 8:50); John :( 14:10), “Those
words you hear are not my own”.
These words of testimony, spoken by the Lord
Himself reveal the deepest motivation of His life and
work. They show how the Father was able to work
His redemption through the Son.
We must learn from Jesus, how He is meek and
lowly of heart. He teaches us where true humility
begins and finds its strength- in the knowledge that
it is God, who works all in all, that our place is to
yield to Him in perfect resignation, and dependence,
in full consent; to be and do nothing of ourselves.
This is the life Christ came to reveal and to impart –
a life to God that came through death to sin and
self. If we feel that this life is too high for us and
beyond our reach, it must all the more urge us to
seek it in Him. It is the Christ dwelling within us
who will live this life in us.
B- In the Teaching of Jesus:
“Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart” (Math.11:29).
“And whoever desires to be first among you, let
him be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did
Father the honor and glory due Him. What He
taught so often was true of Himself: “He who
humbles himself will be exalted” (LK18:14). As it is
written: “He humbled Himself …therefore God
exalted him to the highest place” (Phil.2:8, 9).
Jesus speaks of His relationship to the Father: “The
Son can do nothing by Himself” (Jn.5:19). (See
John 5:14, 7:16; 7:28; 8:50); John :( 14:10), “Those
words you hear are not my own”.
These words of testimony, spoken by the Lord
Himself reveal the deepest motivation of His life and
work. They show how the Father was able to work
His redemption through the Son.
We must learn from Jesus, how He is meek and
lowly of heart. He teaches us where true humility
begins and finds its strength- in the knowledge that
it is God, who works all in all, that our place is to
yield to Him in perfect resignation, and dependence,
in full consent; to be and do nothing of ourselves.
This is the life Christ came to reveal and to impart –
a life to God that came through death to sin and
self. If we feel that this life is too high for us and
beyond our reach, it must all the more urge us to
seek it in Him. It is the Christ dwelling within us
who will live this life in us.
B- In the Teaching of Jesus:
“Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart” (Math.11:29).
“And whoever desires to be first among you, let
him be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did
13
not
come to be served, but to serve”
(Math.20:27,28).
Let us carefully study the passages, Jesus spoke
with, to see how often and how earnestly He taught
it; it may help to realize what he asks of us.
a.) At the commencement of His ministry:
In the Sermon on the Mount, He opens with the
Beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek, for
they will inherit the earth”. (Math.5:3, 5).
The kingdom comes to the poor, who have nothing
in themselves. The blessing of heaven and earth are
for the lowly. Humility is the secret of blessing for
the heavenly and the earthly life.
b.) Qualities He offers us:
“Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls”
(Math. 11:29)
Lowliness and gentleness are the qualities He offers
us; in them we will find perfect rest. Humility is our
salvation.
c.) Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of
Heaven?
The disciples had been disputing among themselves
who would be the greatest in the Kingdom, and had
agreed to ask the Master (LK.9:46). He placed a
child in their midst, and said, “Whoever humbles
(Math.20:27,28).
Let us carefully study the passages, Jesus spoke
with, to see how often and how earnestly He taught
it; it may help to realize what he asks of us.
a.) At the commencement of His ministry:
In the Sermon on the Mount, He opens with the
Beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek, for
they will inherit the earth”. (Math.5:3, 5).
The kingdom comes to the poor, who have nothing
in themselves. The blessing of heaven and earth are
for the lowly. Humility is the secret of blessing for
the heavenly and the earthly life.
b.) Qualities He offers us:
“Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls”
(Math. 11:29)
Lowliness and gentleness are the qualities He offers
us; in them we will find perfect rest. Humility is our
salvation.
c.) Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of
Heaven?
The disciples had been disputing among themselves
who would be the greatest in the Kingdom, and had
agreed to ask the Master (LK.9:46). He placed a
child in their midst, and said, “Whoever humbles
14
himself
like this child is the greatest in the
Kingdom of Heaven” (Math.18:4).
In another occasion the sons of Zebedee asked
Jesus if they could sit on His right hand and on the
left hand, the highest place in the kingdom. Jesus
said: It was not His to give but the Father’s, who
would give it to those for whom it was prepared.
They must not seek it or ask for it. And then He
added: “Whoever wants to be first must be your
slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be
served but to serve.” (Math.20:27, 28).
d.) The Chief Seats - The Best places:
Speaking to the multitude and the disciples, of the
Pharisees and their love of the chief seats, Christ
said once again: “The greatest among you will be
your servant.” (Math23:11, 12)
Jesus was invited once, to eat bread in the house of
one of the rulers of the Pharisees. While there, He
told a parable to those who were invited and when
He noted how they chose the best places, He said to
them:
“When you are invited by anyone to a wedding
feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one
more honorable than you be invited by him; and he
who invited you and him come and say to you,’ Give
place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame
to take the lowest place. But when you are invited,
go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when
who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend,
go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the
Kingdom of Heaven” (Math.18:4).
In another occasion the sons of Zebedee asked
Jesus if they could sit on His right hand and on the
left hand, the highest place in the kingdom. Jesus
said: It was not His to give but the Father’s, who
would give it to those for whom it was prepared.
They must not seek it or ask for it. And then He
added: “Whoever wants to be first must be your
slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be
served but to serve.” (Math.20:27, 28).
d.) The Chief Seats - The Best places:
Speaking to the multitude and the disciples, of the
Pharisees and their love of the chief seats, Christ
said once again: “The greatest among you will be
your servant.” (Math23:11, 12)
Jesus was invited once, to eat bread in the house of
one of the rulers of the Pharisees. While there, He
told a parable to those who were invited and when
He noted how they chose the best places, He said to
them:
“When you are invited by anyone to a wedding
feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one
more honorable than you be invited by him; and he
who invited you and him come and say to you,’ Give
place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame
to take the lowest place. But when you are invited,
go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when
who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend,
go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the
15
presence
of those who sit at the table with you.
“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and he who humbled himself will be exalted.”
(Lk14:11)
e.) Washing the Disciples Feet:
After supper, Jesus rose and laid aside His
garment, took a towel and girded Himself. After that
He poured water into a basin and began to wash
the disciple’s feet, and to wipe them with the towel
with which He was girded. So when He had washed
their feet, taken His garments, and sat down, He
said to them: “Do you know what I have done to
you? “You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say
well, for so I am. “If I then, your Lord and Teacher,
have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one
another’s feet. “ For I have given you an
example, which you should do as I have done to
you.” (Jn.13:4-17).
After the foot-washing, Jesus explains its
significance: As He Himself a servant of God as
mankind, so we are to serve God and our
fellowman. To be a leader in the church, one must
be a humble servant _ a reversal of the values of the
world. The authority of command and example,
every thought, either of obedience or conformity,
makes humility the first and most essential element
of discipleship.
f.) Greatness Is Service:
At the Lord’s Supper, the disciples still disputed
who should be greatest. Jesus said to them: The
“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and he who humbled himself will be exalted.”
(Lk14:11)
e.) Washing the Disciples Feet:
After supper, Jesus rose and laid aside His
garment, took a towel and girded Himself. After that
He poured water into a basin and began to wash
the disciple’s feet, and to wipe them with the towel
with which He was girded. So when He had washed
their feet, taken His garments, and sat down, He
said to them: “Do you know what I have done to
you? “You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say
well, for so I am. “If I then, your Lord and Teacher,
have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one
another’s feet. “ For I have given you an
example, which you should do as I have done to
you.” (Jn.13:4-17).
After the foot-washing, Jesus explains its
significance: As He Himself a servant of God as
mankind, so we are to serve God and our
fellowman. To be a leader in the church, one must
be a humble servant _ a reversal of the values of the
world. The authority of command and example,
every thought, either of obedience or conformity,
makes humility the first and most essential element
of discipleship.
f.) Greatness Is Service:
At the Lord’s Supper, the disciples still disputed
who should be greatest. Jesus said to them: The
16
kings
of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them,
and those who exercise authority over them are
called benefactors.’ “But not so among you; on
the contrary, he who is the greatest among you
let him be as the younger, and he who governs
as he who serves.
I am among you as the One who serves.”
(Lk.22:24-27)
How little this is preached. How seldom it is
practiced. How faintly the lack of it is felt or
confessed. I can not say how few attain to some
recognizable measure of likeness to Jesus in His
humility. But fewer think of making it a distinct
object of continual desire or prayer. How little the
world has seen it. How scarcely it is seen in the
inner circle of the church.
and those who exercise authority over them are
called benefactors.’ “But not so among you; on
the contrary, he who is the greatest among you
let him be as the younger, and he who governs
as he who serves.
I am among you as the One who serves.”
(Lk.22:24-27)
How little this is preached. How seldom it is
practiced. How faintly the lack of it is felt or
confessed. I can not say how few attain to some
recognizable measure of likeness to Jesus in His
humility. But fewer think of making it a distinct
object of continual desire or prayer. How little the
world has seen it. How scarcely it is seen in the
inner circle of the church.
17
(4)-HUMILITY:
IN DAILY LIFE
It is a solemn thought that our love for God is
measured by our every day relationship with
others. It is easy to think that we humble ourselves
before God, but our humility towards others is the
only sufficient proof that our humility before God is
real. In the first Epistle of John we read: “If some
one says, “I love God, and hates his brother, he
is a liar, for he who does not love his brother
whom he has seen, how can he love God whom
he has not seen? And this commandment we
have from Him: that he who loves God must
love his brother also.” (1Jn4:20, 21)
It is our most unguarded moments that we truly
show who we are and what we are made of.
Humility before God is nothing if it is not proven in
humility before others.
It is so in teaching of St. Paul: To the Romans he
writes, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with
brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one
another.” In the same teaching he continues to say:
“Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not
set you mind on high things, but associate with
the humble. Do not be wise in your own
opinion”. (Rom.12:10, 16)
And to the Corinthians, he writes: “Love suffers long
and is kind; love does not envy; love does not
parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave
IN DAILY LIFE
It is a solemn thought that our love for God is
measured by our every day relationship with
others. It is easy to think that we humble ourselves
before God, but our humility towards others is the
only sufficient proof that our humility before God is
real. In the first Epistle of John we read: “If some
one says, “I love God, and hates his brother, he
is a liar, for he who does not love his brother
whom he has seen, how can he love God whom
he has not seen? And this commandment we
have from Him: that he who loves God must
love his brother also.” (1Jn4:20, 21)
It is our most unguarded moments that we truly
show who we are and what we are made of.
Humility before God is nothing if it is not proven in
humility before others.
It is so in teaching of St. Paul: To the Romans he
writes, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with
brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one
another.” In the same teaching he continues to say:
“Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not
set you mind on high things, but associate with
the humble. Do not be wise in your own
opinion”. (Rom.12:10, 16)
And to the Corinthians, he writes: “Love suffers long
and is kind; love does not envy; love does not
parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave
18
rudely,
does not seek its own, is not provoked,
thinks no evil”. (1Cor.13:4, 5)
St Paul also preserves unity in humility in his
writing to the Philippians saying to them: “Let
nothing be done through selfish ambition of
conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem others better than himself.” (Phil.2:3)
The humble person seeks at all times to live up
to the rule: Honor one another above yourselves,
serve one another, consider others better than
you; submit to one another.
The question is often asked, how we can count
others better than ourselves when we see that they
are far below us in wisdom, in holiness, in natural
gifts, or in grace received. In fact the question
proves at once how little we understand what real
lowliness of mind is. True humility comes when
before God we see ourselves as nothing, have put
aside self, and let God be all. The soul that had
done this, and can say: “I have lost myself in
finding you”, no longer compares itself with others.
It has given up forever any thought of self in God’s
presence; it meets its fellowmen as one who is
nothing and seeks nothing for itself; who is a
servant of God and for His sake is a servant of all.
A faithful servant may be wiser than his master and
yet retain the true spirit and posture of a servant.
The spirit of Him who washed the disciples’ feet
makes it a joy to be the least, to be servant of one
another.
thinks no evil”. (1Cor.13:4, 5)
St Paul also preserves unity in humility in his
writing to the Philippians saying to them: “Let
nothing be done through selfish ambition of
conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem others better than himself.” (Phil.2:3)
The humble person seeks at all times to live up
to the rule: Honor one another above yourselves,
serve one another, consider others better than
you; submit to one another.
The question is often asked, how we can count
others better than ourselves when we see that they
are far below us in wisdom, in holiness, in natural
gifts, or in grace received. In fact the question
proves at once how little we understand what real
lowliness of mind is. True humility comes when
before God we see ourselves as nothing, have put
aside self, and let God be all. The soul that had
done this, and can say: “I have lost myself in
finding you”, no longer compares itself with others.
It has given up forever any thought of self in God’s
presence; it meets its fellowmen as one who is
nothing and seeks nothing for itself; who is a
servant of God and for His sake is a servant of all.
A faithful servant may be wiser than his master and
yet retain the true spirit and posture of a servant.
The spirit of Him who washed the disciples’ feet
makes it a joy to be the least, to be servant of one
another.
19
The
humble person feels no jealousy or envy. He
can praise God when others are preferred and
blessed before him. He can hear others praised and
himself forgotten, because in God’s presence he has
learned to say with St. Paul, “I am nothing”.
Therefore, let us put on a heart of compassion,
kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, and
let us prove our Christ likeness not only our zeal for
saving the lost, but also in our relationships with
others forbearing and forgiving one another, even as
the Lord forgave us.
From the saying of the holy fathers of humility
(The Paradise of the Holy Fathers, Vol. II, E. A. Wallis Budge)
A certain brother came to Abba Macarius, the
Egyptian, and said to him, “Father, speak to me a
word whereby I “may live”. Abba Macarius said unto
him, “Get thee to the “cemetery and revile the dead”;
and he went and reviled them, and stoned them with
stones, and he came and informed the old man (that
he had done so). And the old man said unto him,
“Did say nothing unto thee?” and the brother said
unto him, “No.” And again the old man said unto
him, “Go to-morrow and praise them and call them,
“Apostles, Saints, and Righteous Men”; and he came
to the old man, and said, “I have praised them.” And
the old man said unto him, “And did they return thee
no answer?” and he said “No,” And the old man said
unto him, “Thou seest how “thou hast praised them,
and that they said nothing to thee, and that although
thou didst revile them they returned thee no answer.
can praise God when others are preferred and
blessed before him. He can hear others praised and
himself forgotten, because in God’s presence he has
learned to say with St. Paul, “I am nothing”.
Therefore, let us put on a heart of compassion,
kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, and
let us prove our Christ likeness not only our zeal for
saving the lost, but also in our relationships with
others forbearing and forgiving one another, even as
the Lord forgave us.
From the saying of the holy fathers of humility
(The Paradise of the Holy Fathers, Vol. II, E. A. Wallis Budge)
A certain brother came to Abba Macarius, the
Egyptian, and said to him, “Father, speak to me a
word whereby I “may live”. Abba Macarius said unto
him, “Get thee to the “cemetery and revile the dead”;
and he went and reviled them, and stoned them with
stones, and he came and informed the old man (that
he had done so). And the old man said unto him,
“Did say nothing unto thee?” and the brother said
unto him, “No.” And again the old man said unto
him, “Go to-morrow and praise them and call them,
“Apostles, Saints, and Righteous Men”; and he came
to the old man, and said, “I have praised them.” And
the old man said unto him, “And did they return thee
no answer?” and he said “No,” And the old man said
unto him, “Thou seest how “thou hast praised them,
and that they said nothing to thee, and that although
thou didst revile them they returned thee no answer.
20
And
thus let it be with you. If thou wishes to live,
become dead, so that thou mayest care neither for
the reviling of men nor their praise, for the dead care
for nothing; in this wise thou wilt be able to live.”
become dead, so that thou mayest care neither for
the reviling of men nor their praise, for the dead care
for nothing; in this wise thou wilt be able to live.”
21
(5)-HUMILITY:
IN THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS
If we see a lack of humility in the disciples, and a
contrast between Christ and men is brought out
more clearly, it will help us to appreciate the mighty
change that Pentecost brought and prove how real
our participation can be in the triumph of Christ’s
humility over the pride Satan breathed into
humankind.
In the texts quoted from the teaching of Jesus, we
have seen the occasions which the disciples proved
how much they lacked the grace of humility. Once
they were disputing about who should be the
greatest. Another time the sons of Zebedee, with
their mother, had asked for the first places – the
seats on the right hand and the left hand of Jesus
in glory. And later on, at last supper, there was a
contention again about who should be counted the
greatest. This not to say, that there were not
moments when they did humble themselves before
the Lord. Peter cried out and fell down at Jesus
knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful
man, O Lord” (LK.5:8). This took place when Jesus
had stopped speaking to the multitude from the
boat, He said to Simon Peter: “Launch out into the
deep and let down your nets for a catch. But Simon
answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled
all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at your
word I will let down the net.” And when they had
done this they caught great number of fish, and
their net was breaking.
On another occasion when the disciples saw Jesus
walking on the sea; and when He got into the boat,
IN THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS
If we see a lack of humility in the disciples, and a
contrast between Christ and men is brought out
more clearly, it will help us to appreciate the mighty
change that Pentecost brought and prove how real
our participation can be in the triumph of Christ’s
humility over the pride Satan breathed into
humankind.
In the texts quoted from the teaching of Jesus, we
have seen the occasions which the disciples proved
how much they lacked the grace of humility. Once
they were disputing about who should be the
greatest. Another time the sons of Zebedee, with
their mother, had asked for the first places – the
seats on the right hand and the left hand of Jesus
in glory. And later on, at last supper, there was a
contention again about who should be counted the
greatest. This not to say, that there were not
moments when they did humble themselves before
the Lord. Peter cried out and fell down at Jesus
knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful
man, O Lord” (LK.5:8). This took place when Jesus
had stopped speaking to the multitude from the
boat, He said to Simon Peter: “Launch out into the
deep and let down your nets for a catch. But Simon
answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled
all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at your
word I will let down the net.” And when they had
done this they caught great number of fish, and
their net was breaking.
On another occasion when the disciples saw Jesus
walking on the sea; and when He got into the boat,
22
the
wind ceased. Then the disciples in the boat
came and worshiped Him, saying “Truly you
are the Son of God”.
(Math.14:22-33)
But such infrequent expressions of humility only
emphasize the general habit of their minds. The
study of the meaning of their behavior, will teach us
some important lessons:
First: The fact that there may be the enthusiastic
and active practice of Christianity while humility is
still sadly lacking.
All of this tends to confirm the reality that humility
is one of the chief and highest virtues, one of the
most difficult to attain, and one to which our first
efforts ought to be directed. Humility is a virtue
that only comes in power when the fullness of the
spirit makes us partakers of the indwelling Christ
and He lives within us.
Second: The reality that external teaching and
personal efforts are powerless to conquer pride or
create the meek and lovely heart in a person.
For the three years disciples had been in the
training school of Jesus. He had told them what the
main lesson was that He wished to teach them:
“Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart” (Math.11:29). Time after time He spoke to
them, to the Pharisees, and to the multitudes, of
humility as the only path to the glory of God. He
had not only lived before them as the lamb of God
in His divine humility, but He had also more than
once unfolded to them the most secret of His life:
“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to
came and worshiped Him, saying “Truly you
are the Son of God”.
(Math.14:22-33)
But such infrequent expressions of humility only
emphasize the general habit of their minds. The
study of the meaning of their behavior, will teach us
some important lessons:
First: The fact that there may be the enthusiastic
and active practice of Christianity while humility is
still sadly lacking.
All of this tends to confirm the reality that humility
is one of the chief and highest virtues, one of the
most difficult to attain, and one to which our first
efforts ought to be directed. Humility is a virtue
that only comes in power when the fullness of the
spirit makes us partakers of the indwelling Christ
and He lives within us.
Second: The reality that external teaching and
personal efforts are powerless to conquer pride or
create the meek and lovely heart in a person.
For the three years disciples had been in the
training school of Jesus. He had told them what the
main lesson was that He wished to teach them:
“Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart” (Math.11:29). Time after time He spoke to
them, to the Pharisees, and to the multitudes, of
humility as the only path to the glory of God. He
had not only lived before them as the lamb of God
in His divine humility, but He had also more than
once unfolded to them the most secret of His life:
“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to
23
serve”
(Math20:28). He had washed their feet and
told them to follow His example. But all was too
little avail. At the Last Supper there was still
contention as to who should be greatest.
Nothing works but this: That the new nature in
its divine humility is revealed in power to take the
place of the old- to become our true nature.
Third: The revelation that it is only by the
indwelling of Christ in His divine humility that we
can become truly humble.
We had our pride from Adam; we must have our
humility from Christ. Pride rules in us with
incredible power, it is ourselves, our very nature.
Humility must become ours in the same way; it
must be our true selves, our very nature. As
natural and easy as it has been to be proud, it
must become natural for us to be humble. The
promise is: “Where sin abounded, grace did abound
more exceedingly.”
told them to follow His example. But all was too
little avail. At the Last Supper there was still
contention as to who should be greatest.
Nothing works but this: That the new nature in
its divine humility is revealed in power to take the
place of the old- to become our true nature.
Third: The revelation that it is only by the
indwelling of Christ in His divine humility that we
can become truly humble.
We had our pride from Adam; we must have our
humility from Christ. Pride rules in us with
incredible power, it is ourselves, our very nature.
Humility must become ours in the same way; it
must be our true selves, our very nature. As
natural and easy as it has been to be proud, it
must become natural for us to be humble. The
promise is: “Where sin abounded, grace did abound
more exceedingly.”
24
(6)-HOW
TO REACH HUMILITY
(A)- PENITENCE:
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all
acceptances, Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1Tim.1:15)
Humility is often identified with penitence and
contrition. As a consequence, there appears to be
no way of fostering humility but by keeping the soul
occupied with its sin.
We have only to look at a man like the Apostle
Paul to see how through his life as a ransomed and
a holy man, the deep consciousness of having been
a sinner lived in him inextinguishably. We all know
the passage in which refers to his life as persecutor
and blasphemer: “I am the least of the apostles
and do not even deserve to be called an apostle,
because I persecuted the church of God. But by
the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace
to me was not without effect; but I labored
more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but
the grace of God which was with me.”
(1Cor.15:9, 10)
Also look at what David the king and prophet say
in his psalm:
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your
loving-kindness, according to you the multitude
of your tender mercies, blot not my
transgression, wash me thoroughly from my
iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. And my
(A)- PENITENCE:
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all
acceptances, Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1Tim.1:15)
Humility is often identified with penitence and
contrition. As a consequence, there appears to be
no way of fostering humility but by keeping the soul
occupied with its sin.
We have only to look at a man like the Apostle
Paul to see how through his life as a ransomed and
a holy man, the deep consciousness of having been
a sinner lived in him inextinguishably. We all know
the passage in which refers to his life as persecutor
and blasphemer: “I am the least of the apostles
and do not even deserve to be called an apostle,
because I persecuted the church of God. But by
the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace
to me was not without effect; but I labored
more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but
the grace of God which was with me.”
(1Cor.15:9, 10)
Also look at what David the king and prophet say
in his psalm:
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your
loving-kindness, according to you the multitude
of your tender mercies, blot not my
transgression, wash me thoroughly from my
iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. And my
26
sin is always before me. Against You, You only,
have I sinned. And done this evil in your sight.
That you may, be found just when you speak,
and blameless when you judge.” (PS. 50:1-4)
From the sayings of the holy fathers:
+ [On one occasion Abba Ammon went to Abba
Antony, and he lost the way, and sat down for a
little and fell asleep; and he rose up from his
slumber, and prayed unto God, and said, “ I
beseech Thee, O Lord God, not to destroy that
which “ Thou hast fashioned.” Then he lifted up his,
and behold, there was the form of a man’s hand
above him in the heavens, and it showed him the
way until he came and stood above the cave of
Abba Antony, Abba Antony prophesized unto him,
saying, “ Thou shall increase in the fear of God.”
Then he took him outside the cave, and showing
him a stone, said, “ curse this stone, and smite it,”
and he did so, and he did so, and Abba Antony said
unto him, “ It is thus that thou shall arrive at this
state, “ for thou shall bear heaviness, and great
abuse”; and this actually happened to Abba Amon.]
+ Abba John the Less used to say, [Humility and
fear of God are more excellent than all other
virtues.]
(B)- FAITH:
Jesus reveals to us that it is indeed pride that
makes faith impossible: “How can you believe if
you accept praise from one another?”
(John5:44)
27
We learn that faith and humility are at their root
one, and that we can never have more of true faith
than we have true humility.
Humility and faith are more nearly aligned in
scripture than many realize. There are two cases in
which He spoke of great faith. He marveled at the
faith of the centurion who came to Him to heal his
servant; because, when Jesus said to him, “I will
come and heal him”. The centurion answered and
said, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should come
under my roof. But only speak a word, and my
servant will be healed. When Jesus heard it, He
marveled, and said to those who followed,
“Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such
great faith, not even in Israel. (Math.8:5-13)
And another occasion where a woman of Canaan
came from the region and cried out to Him, saying,
“Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My
daughter is severely demon possessed.” He
answered and said, “It is not good to take the
children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And
she said, “Yes Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the
crumbs which fall from their masters table.” Then
Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great
is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.
(Math.15:22-28)
It is humility that brings a soul to be nothing before
God, and that also remove every hindrance to faith,
and makes it only fear lest it dishonor Him by not
trusting Him completely. You will find that the
28
deeper you sink into humility before Him, the
nearer He is to fulfill every desire of your faith.
29
(C) - LOVE:
“Love suffers long, and is kind; love does not
envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed
up, does not behave rudely, does not seek its
own, is not provoked, think no evil, does not
rejoice in iniquity, but rejoice in the truth,;
bears all things, endures all things, love never
fails.”
(1Cor. 13:4, 5)
From the sayings of the holy fathers:
+ Abba Elias once said: [If you desire to put off
anger and impurity gain humility, because humility
consumes the devil.]
(D) - DEATH OF SELF:
“Or don’t you know that all of us who were
baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into
His death? Count yourselves dead to sin but
alive to God in Christ Jesus. Offer yourselves to
God, as those who have been brought from
death to life” (Rom 6:3, 11, 13)
The whole self-awareness of Christians is to be
imbued by the spirit of the sacrifice of Christ.
Every morning remind yourself afresh of your
emptiness so that life of Jesus may be manifested
in you. Let a willing, loving, restful humility be the
mark that you have claimed your birth right – the
baptism – into the death of Christ.
30
“By one sacrifice He has made perfect forever
those who being made holy” (Heb.10:14).
The soul that enters into His humiliation will find in
Him the power to see and count himself as dead
and as those who have learned and received of Him,
to walk with all lowliness and meekness, bearing
one another in love.
This gives us the answer to the question so often
asked and seldom clearly understood: How can I die
to self?
Death to self is not your work; it is God’s work. In
Christ you are dead to sin; your life has gone
through the process of death and resurrection.
31
(7)-HELPFUL GUIDES FOR REACHING
HUMILITY
As given by the holy fathers:
(A.) Pride in Holiness:
Let us take a warning: There is no pride so
dangerous, subtle and insidious, as the pride of
holiness. Flee to Jesus and hide yourselves in
Him until you are clothed with His humility.
That alone is holiness.
+ One of the fathers used to relate that he had an
old man in a cell, who performed many ascetic
labors, and who clothed himself in a palm-leaf mat;
and this old man went to Abba Ammon, who seeing
that he wore a palm-leaf mat only, said unto him,
“This will profit thee nothing.” And the old man
asked him, saying, “Three thoughts vex me. Shall I
go to desert, or shall I go forth into exile, or shall I
shut myself up in a cell, and receive no man, and eat
once every two days?” Abba Ammon said unto him,
“Thou art not able to do any one of these things, but
go, sit in thy cell, and eat a very little food each day,
and let there be in your heart always the words of
the publican, “God be merciful to me ‘a sinner’,
and thus you shall be able to live” (LK.18:13).
(B.) Seek not the chief seats:
To every Christian the command comes from the
throne of God himself: humble yourself. Blessed is
the man who has learned to put his hope in God.
32
We know the law of human nature: acts produce
habits, habits bread disposition, disposition form
the will, and the rightly formed will becomes the
character.
+ From the sayings of the holy fathers: One of the old
men said, “I would rather have defeat with humility
than conquest with boasting.”
(C.) Self denial:
Accept every humiliation, look upon every person
who tries or troubles you as a means of grace to
humble you. God will see such acceptance as a
proof that your whole heart desires it. It is the path
of humility that leads to the full and perfect
experience of our death with Christ. It is in the
death to self that humility is perfected.
+ When King David came to Bahurim, there came out
a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose
name was Shimei, and he cursed continually. “And
he threw stones at David, and all the servants of
King David. And he said as he cursed, “Beg one, be
gone, you man of blood, you worthless fellow! The
Lord has avenged upon you all the blood of the
house of Saul, in his place you have reined; and the
Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your
son Absalom. See your ruin is on you; for you are a
man of blood.
Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king,
“Why should this dead dog curse the lord my king?
Let me go over and take off his head.” But the king
said, “If he is cursing because the Lord has said to
33
him. ‘Curse David’. Who then shall say, ‘Why have
you done so?’ Let him alone, and let him curse, for
the Lord has bidden him. It may be that the Lord will
look upon my affliction, and the Lord will repay me
with good for his cursing of me today.
(D.) Don’t be a grumbler:
“Do not grumble against one another, brethren,
lest you be condemned. Behold the, the judge is
standing at the door”. (James5:9)
Do not be sad if you are betrayed by others.
Remember that they accused our Lord by demonpossessed,
and he did not grumble. Instead you
should have a meek heart, and remember that your
Lord Jesus was dragged to the cross as a lamb lead
to slaughter, and did say nothing.
From the saying of the holy fathers:
A certain Abba asked Abba Muthues, saying, “If I go
a place to dwell, how would you have me conduct
myself? The old man said to him, “If you wish to
dwell in a certain place, do so, but do not let go forth
concerning yourself any fame for praiseworthy acts.
Then the brother said to him, “What shall I do? And
the old manner like every one else, and what you
see those who fear God, I `mean those `in whom you
have confidence, that do also, and you shall be at
ease. For to be as all other men is true humility, and
the men who see that you are like all other men will
regard you as they regard every one else. And you
will not be troubled.
(E.) Escape false glory:
34
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the
humble.” (James4:6)
Abba John used to say, “We relinquish a light
burden when we condemn ourselves, but we take
upon ourselves a heavy burden when we attempt to
make ourselves righteous
(F.) Self Condemnation:
On one occasion Abba Theophilus, the bishop of
Alexandria, went to the Nitrian Mountain to visit the
Fathers, and the priests of the Mountain came to
him; and Abba Theophilis said to him, “What thing of
excellence have you found on this road?” And the old
man said to him, “I make accusations against
myself, and I blame myself all the time”: and Abba
Theophius said to him, “Verily this is the way of
truth.”
(G.) Judge Not:
“Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He
who speaks evil of a brother and judges his
brother, speak evil of the law and judges the
law. But if you judge the law, you are not doer
of the law but a judge. Who are you to judge
another?” (James 4:11, 12)
Belittling criticism of others is another way pride is
revealed in our speech. It is lack of faith united with
evil works, an offense both to the person and to
35
God. God’s will is that we love others with humility
and mercy, even if they are in the wrong.
On one occasion the Archbishop Theofilus went to
the mountain of Nitria, and a certain Abba of the
monks came to him, and Abba Theofilus said to him,
‘What more do the monks find in this way (than any
other)?” The old man said to him, they condemn
themselves continually, and they do not judge the
neighbors”; and Abba Theophilus said, “There is no
way but this.”
(H.) Forbearing Criticism:
“For consider Him who endured such hostility
from sinners against Himself, lest you become
weary and discouraged in your souls” (Heb.12:3)
Abba Pachomius said about forbearing criticism: If
some one rejected a brother’s criticism, and hated
him for it, he gave a great chance for Satan to
indwell in him.
36
(8.) HUMILITY AND HAPPINESS
St. Augustine was once asked: What is the first thing
in religion? He replied: The first, second and third is
humility.
In the epistle of St. Paul he said: “Therefore I will
boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,
so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is
why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness…;
for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
(2Cor.12:9, 10)
It seems that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was sent to
humble him so that he might not exalt himself as a
result of the great revelations given to him. Paul’s
first desire was to have the thorn removed, and he
asked the Lord three times that it might be taken
away. The answer came to him that the trial was a
blessing – that through the weaknesses and
humiliation it brought, the grace and strength of
the Lord better be manifested. Then Paul instead of
simply enduring it, he gladly glorified in it; instead
of asking for deliverance, he took pleasure in it. He
had learned that the place of humiliation is the
place of blessing, of power, and of joy.
We may know of advanced believers, eminent
teachers, and men of spiritual experience who have
not yet learned to embrace humility. Every
Christian who seeks to advance in holiness should
remember this: those may be intense consecration
and fervent zeal, and if the Lord himself does not
step in, there may be unconscious self- exaltation.
37
Let us learn the lesson that the greatest holiness
comes in deep humility.
Let us look at our lives in the light of this
experience and see whether we gladly glory in
weakness, and whether we take pleasure, as Paul
did, in injuries, in necessities, in distress.
Let us trust Him who took care of Paul to take care
of us too. Paul needed special discipline, and with it
special instructions to learn what was more
precious than even unutterable things he had
heard from heaven; what it is to glory in weakness
and lowliness. We need it too. The school in which
Jesus taught Paul is our school as well. He watches
over as with jealous, loving care, lest we exalt
ourselves. When we do this, we seek to show to us
the evil of it and deliver us from it. Through trials,
failures and troubles He seeks to bring us to the
place where His grace is everything. His strength is
made perfect in our weaknesses; His presence fills
and satisfies our emptiness; and becomes the
secret of humility. Paul could say: “I am not in the
least inferior to the super apostles, even though I
am nothing” (2Cor. 12:11); the humble man has
learned the secret of abiding joy.
The danger of pride is greater and nearer than we
think, and especially at the time of our greatest
experiences.
Paul was in danger without knowing it: What Jesus
did for him is written for our admonition.
The grace of humility is also greater and nearer
than we think. Jesus’ grace is sufficient for us to
meet the temptation of pride. His strength will be
38
perfected in our weaknesses. Let us choose to be
weak, to be low, and to be nothing. Let humility be
to us joy and gladness. Let us glorify and take
pleasure in weaknesses, in all that will humble us
and keep us low, the power of Christ will rest upon
us.
Christ humbled Himself, therefore God exalted Him.
Let us heartily consent, let us trustfully and joyfully
accept all that humbles; the power of Christ will
rest upon us. We shall find that the deepest
humility is the secret of the truest happiness, of joy
that nothing can destroy.
39
APPRECIATION TO:
+ Fr Bishoy Demetrious for reviewing the material of
THE HUMILITY, and his valuable introduction to the
Arabic part. May the Lord reward him for his love and
giving his valuable time to this work?
+ Dr. Ihab Girgis for the cover design and the computer
help. May God reward him with His heavenly gifts.
+ Mr. Maged & Mrs. Joy Demetrious for editing the
English part. May God reward them and fill their life with
His grace, peace and love
+ To all who contributed in the review, process or
printing of this article, without mentioning their names.
May the lord reward them with His heavenly gifts.
The English References:
1- The Holy Bible
2-The Orthodox Study Bible
3- Humility – The Journey Towards Holiness, Andrew Murra
4- The Paradise of the Holy Fathers-Vol. II, E. A. Wallis
Budge
We
know the law of human nature: acts produce
habits, habits bread disposition, disposition form
the will, and the rightly formed will becomes the
character.
+ From the sayings of the holy fathers: One of the old
men said, “I would rather have defeat with humility
than conquest with boasting.”
(C.) Self denial:
Accept every humiliation, look upon every person
who tries or troubles you as a means of grace to
humble you. God will see such acceptance as a
proof that your whole heart desires it. It is the path
of humility that leads to the full and perfect
experience of our death with Christ. It is in the
death to self that humility is perfected.
+ When King David came to Bahurim, there came out
a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose
name was Shimei, and he cursed continually. “And
he threw stones at David, and all the servants of
King David. And he said as he cursed, “Beg one, be
gone, you man of blood, you worthless fellow! The
Lord has avenged upon you all the blood of the
house of Saul, in his place you have reined; and the
Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your
son Absalom. See your ruin is on you; for you are a
man of blood.
Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king,
“Why should this dead dog curse the lord my king?
Let me go over and take off his head.” But the king
said, “If he is cursing because the Lord has said to
33
him. ‘Curse David’. Who then shall say, ‘Why have
you done so?’ Let him alone, and let him curse, for
the Lord has bidden him. It may be that the Lord will
look upon my affliction, and the Lord will repay me
with good for his cursing of me today.
(D.) Don’t be a grumbler:
“Do not grumble against one another, brethren,
lest you be condemned. Behold the, the judge is
standing at the door”. (James5:9)
Do not be sad if you are betrayed by others.
Remember that they accused our Lord by demonpossessed,
and he did not grumble. Instead you
should have a meek heart, and remember that your
Lord Jesus was dragged to the cross as a lamb lead
to slaughter, and did say nothing.
From the saying of the holy fathers:
A certain Abba asked Abba Muthues, saying, “If I go
a place to dwell, how would you have me conduct
myself? The old man said to him, “If you wish to
dwell in a certain place, do so, but do not let go forth
concerning yourself any fame for praiseworthy acts.
Then the brother said to him, “What shall I do? And
the old manner like every one else, and what you
see those who fear God, I `mean those `in whom you
have confidence, that do also, and you shall be at
ease. For to be as all other men is true humility, and
the men who see that you are like all other men will
regard you as they regard every one else. And you
will not be troubled.
(E.) Escape false glory:
34
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the
humble.” (James4:6)
Abba John used to say, “We relinquish a light
burden when we condemn ourselves, but we take
upon ourselves a heavy burden when we attempt to
make ourselves righteous
(F.) Self Condemnation:
On one occasion Abba Theophilus, the bishop of
Alexandria, went to the Nitrian Mountain to visit the
Fathers, and the priests of the Mountain came to
him; and Abba Theophilis said to him, “What thing of
excellence have you found on this road?” And the old
man said to him, “I make accusations against
myself, and I blame myself all the time”: and Abba
Theophius said to him, “Verily this is the way of
truth.”
(G.) Judge Not:
“Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He
who speaks evil of a brother and judges his
brother, speak evil of the law and judges the
law. But if you judge the law, you are not doer
of the law but a judge. Who are you to judge
another?” (James 4:11, 12)
Belittling criticism of others is another way pride is
revealed in our speech. It is lack of faith united with
evil works, an offense both to the person and to
35
God. God’s will is that we love others with humility
and mercy, even if they are in the wrong.
On one occasion the Archbishop Theofilus went to
the mountain of Nitria, and a certain Abba of the
monks came to him, and Abba Theofilus said to him,
‘What more do the monks find in this way (than any
other)?” The old man said to him, they condemn
themselves continually, and they do not judge the
neighbors”; and Abba Theophilus said, “There is no
way but this.”
(H.) Forbearing Criticism:
“For consider Him who endured such hostility
from sinners against Himself, lest you become
weary and discouraged in your souls” (Heb.12:3)
Abba Pachomius said about forbearing criticism: If
some one rejected a brother’s criticism, and hated
him for it, he gave a great chance for Satan to
indwell in him.
35
36
(8.) HUMILITY AND HAPPINESS
St. Augustine was once asked: What is the first thing
in religion? He replied: The first, second and third is
humility.
In the epistle of St. Paul he said: “Therefore I will
boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,
so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is
why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness…;
for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
(2Cor.12:9, 10)
It seems that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was sent to
humble him so that he might not exalt himself as a
result of the great revelations given to him. Paul’s
first desire was to have the thorn removed, and he
asked the Lord three times that it might be taken
away. The answer came to him that the trial was a
blessing – that through the weaknesses and
humiliation it brought, the grace and strength of
the Lord better be manifested. Then Paul instead of
simply enduring it, he gladly glorified in it; instead
of asking for deliverance, he took pleasure in it. He
had learned that the place of humiliation is the
place of blessing, of power, and of joy.
We may know of advanced believers, eminent
teachers, and men of spiritual experience who have
not yet learned to embrace humility. Every
Christian who seeks to advance in holiness should
remember this: those may be intense consecration
and fervent zeal, and if the Lord himself does not
step in, there may be unconscious self- exaltation.
37
Let us learn the lesson that the greatest holiness
comes in deep humility.
Let us look at our lives in the light of this
experience and see whether we gladly glory in
weakness, and whether we take pleasure, as Paul
did, in injuries, in necessities, in distress.
Let us trust Him who took care of Paul to take care
of us too. Paul needed special discipline, and with it
special instructions to learn what was more
precious than even unutterable things he had
heard from heaven; what it is to glory in weakness
and lowliness. We need it too. The school in which
Jesus taught Paul is our school as well. He watches
over as with jealous, loving care, lest we exalt
ourselves. When we do this, we seek to show to us
the evil of it and deliver us from it. Through trials,
failures and troubles He seeks to bring us to the
place where His grace is everything. His strength is
made perfect in our weaknesses; His presence fills
and satisfies our emptiness; and becomes the
secret of humility. Paul could say: “I am not in the
least inferior to the super apostles, even though I
am nothing” (2Cor. 12:11); the humble man has
learned the secret of abiding joy.
The danger of pride is greater and nearer than we
think, and especially at the time of our greatest
experiences.
Paul was in danger without knowing it: What Jesus
did for him is written for our admonition.
The grace of humility is also greater and nearer
than we think. Jesus’ grace is sufficient for us to
meet the temptation of pride. His strength will be
38
perfected in our weaknesses. Let us choose to be
weak, to be low, and to be nothing. Let humility be
to us joy and gladness. Let us glorify and take
pleasure in weaknesses, in all that will humble us
and keep us low, the power of Christ will rest upon
us.
Christ humbled Himself, therefore God exalted Him.
Let us heartily consent, let us trustfully and joyfully
accept all that humbles; the power of Christ will
rest upon us. We shall find that the deepest
humility is the secret of the truest happiness, of joy
that nothing can destroy.
39
habits, habits bread disposition, disposition form
the will, and the rightly formed will becomes the
character.
+ From the sayings of the holy fathers: One of the old
men said, “I would rather have defeat with humility
than conquest with boasting.”
(C.) Self denial:
Accept every humiliation, look upon every person
who tries or troubles you as a means of grace to
humble you. God will see such acceptance as a
proof that your whole heart desires it. It is the path
of humility that leads to the full and perfect
experience of our death with Christ. It is in the
death to self that humility is perfected.
+ When King David came to Bahurim, there came out
a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose
name was Shimei, and he cursed continually. “And
he threw stones at David, and all the servants of
King David. And he said as he cursed, “Beg one, be
gone, you man of blood, you worthless fellow! The
Lord has avenged upon you all the blood of the
house of Saul, in his place you have reined; and the
Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your
son Absalom. See your ruin is on you; for you are a
man of blood.
Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king,
“Why should this dead dog curse the lord my king?
Let me go over and take off his head.” But the king
said, “If he is cursing because the Lord has said to
33
him. ‘Curse David’. Who then shall say, ‘Why have
you done so?’ Let him alone, and let him curse, for
the Lord has bidden him. It may be that the Lord will
look upon my affliction, and the Lord will repay me
with good for his cursing of me today.
(D.) Don’t be a grumbler:
“Do not grumble against one another, brethren,
lest you be condemned. Behold the, the judge is
standing at the door”. (James5:9)
Do not be sad if you are betrayed by others.
Remember that they accused our Lord by demonpossessed,
and he did not grumble. Instead you
should have a meek heart, and remember that your
Lord Jesus was dragged to the cross as a lamb lead
to slaughter, and did say nothing.
From the saying of the holy fathers:
A certain Abba asked Abba Muthues, saying, “If I go
a place to dwell, how would you have me conduct
myself? The old man said to him, “If you wish to
dwell in a certain place, do so, but do not let go forth
concerning yourself any fame for praiseworthy acts.
Then the brother said to him, “What shall I do? And
the old manner like every one else, and what you
see those who fear God, I `mean those `in whom you
have confidence, that do also, and you shall be at
ease. For to be as all other men is true humility, and
the men who see that you are like all other men will
regard you as they regard every one else. And you
will not be troubled.
(E.) Escape false glory:
34
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the
humble.” (James4:6)
Abba John used to say, “We relinquish a light
burden when we condemn ourselves, but we take
upon ourselves a heavy burden when we attempt to
make ourselves righteous
(F.) Self Condemnation:
On one occasion Abba Theophilus, the bishop of
Alexandria, went to the Nitrian Mountain to visit the
Fathers, and the priests of the Mountain came to
him; and Abba Theophilis said to him, “What thing of
excellence have you found on this road?” And the old
man said to him, “I make accusations against
myself, and I blame myself all the time”: and Abba
Theophius said to him, “Verily this is the way of
truth.”
(G.) Judge Not:
“Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He
who speaks evil of a brother and judges his
brother, speak evil of the law and judges the
law. But if you judge the law, you are not doer
of the law but a judge. Who are you to judge
another?” (James 4:11, 12)
Belittling criticism of others is another way pride is
revealed in our speech. It is lack of faith united with
evil works, an offense both to the person and to
35
God. God’s will is that we love others with humility
and mercy, even if they are in the wrong.
On one occasion the Archbishop Theofilus went to
the mountain of Nitria, and a certain Abba of the
monks came to him, and Abba Theofilus said to him,
‘What more do the monks find in this way (than any
other)?” The old man said to him, they condemn
themselves continually, and they do not judge the
neighbors”; and Abba Theophilus said, “There is no
way but this.”
(H.) Forbearing Criticism:
“For consider Him who endured such hostility
from sinners against Himself, lest you become
weary and discouraged in your souls” (Heb.12:3)
Abba Pachomius said about forbearing criticism: If
some one rejected a brother’s criticism, and hated
him for it, he gave a great chance for Satan to
indwell in him.
35
36
(8.) HUMILITY AND HAPPINESS
St. Augustine was once asked: What is the first thing
in religion? He replied: The first, second and third is
humility.
In the epistle of St. Paul he said: “Therefore I will
boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,
so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is
why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness…;
for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
(2Cor.12:9, 10)
It seems that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was sent to
humble him so that he might not exalt himself as a
result of the great revelations given to him. Paul’s
first desire was to have the thorn removed, and he
asked the Lord three times that it might be taken
away. The answer came to him that the trial was a
blessing – that through the weaknesses and
humiliation it brought, the grace and strength of
the Lord better be manifested. Then Paul instead of
simply enduring it, he gladly glorified in it; instead
of asking for deliverance, he took pleasure in it. He
had learned that the place of humiliation is the
place of blessing, of power, and of joy.
We may know of advanced believers, eminent
teachers, and men of spiritual experience who have
not yet learned to embrace humility. Every
Christian who seeks to advance in holiness should
remember this: those may be intense consecration
and fervent zeal, and if the Lord himself does not
step in, there may be unconscious self- exaltation.
37
Let us learn the lesson that the greatest holiness
comes in deep humility.
Let us look at our lives in the light of this
experience and see whether we gladly glory in
weakness, and whether we take pleasure, as Paul
did, in injuries, in necessities, in distress.
Let us trust Him who took care of Paul to take care
of us too. Paul needed special discipline, and with it
special instructions to learn what was more
precious than even unutterable things he had
heard from heaven; what it is to glory in weakness
and lowliness. We need it too. The school in which
Jesus taught Paul is our school as well. He watches
over as with jealous, loving care, lest we exalt
ourselves. When we do this, we seek to show to us
the evil of it and deliver us from it. Through trials,
failures and troubles He seeks to bring us to the
place where His grace is everything. His strength is
made perfect in our weaknesses; His presence fills
and satisfies our emptiness; and becomes the
secret of humility. Paul could say: “I am not in the
least inferior to the super apostles, even though I
am nothing” (2Cor. 12:11); the humble man has
learned the secret of abiding joy.
The danger of pride is greater and nearer than we
think, and especially at the time of our greatest
experiences.
Paul was in danger without knowing it: What Jesus
did for him is written for our admonition.
The grace of humility is also greater and nearer
than we think. Jesus’ grace is sufficient for us to
meet the temptation of pride. His strength will be
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perfected in our weaknesses. Let us choose to be
weak, to be low, and to be nothing. Let humility be
to us joy and gladness. Let us glorify and take
pleasure in weaknesses, in all that will humble us
and keep us low, the power of Christ will rest upon
us.
Christ humbled Himself, therefore God exalted Him.
Let us heartily consent, let us trustfully and joyfully
accept all that humbles; the power of Christ will
rest upon us. We shall find that the deepest
humility is the secret of the truest happiness, of joy
that nothing can destroy.
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APPRECIATION TO:
+ Fr Bishoy Demetrious for reviewing the material of
THE HUMILITY, and his valuable introduction to the
Arabic part. May the Lord reward him for his love and
giving his valuable time to this work?
+ Dr. Ihab Girgis for the cover design and the computer
help. May God reward him with His heavenly gifts.
+ Mr. Maged & Mrs. Joy Demetrious for editing the
English part. May God reward them and fill their life with
His grace, peace and love
+ To all who contributed in the review, process or
printing of this article, without mentioning their names.
May the lord reward them with His heavenly gifts.
The English References:
1- The Holy Bible
2-The Orthodox Study Bible
3- Humility – The Journey Towards Holiness, Andrew Murra
4- The Paradise of the Holy Fathers-Vol. II, E. A. Wallis
Budge
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