|
GROWING
TOGETHER
This
is our section devoted to praxis, of which The
Imitation has valuable instruction. Right
at the heart of this little book is a serious
grappling with the virtue of humility.
This is an issue which every century of Christians
have taken with utmost seriousness with the single
exception of our own. Which may also help explain
why The Imitation has been held in such
high regard in every century but ours. Which,
I would suggest, is an excellent reason for us
to take another look at its teaching here. Listen
to these few sample passages:
•
"If you want to learn something that will really
help you, learn to see yourself as God sees you
and not as you see yourself in the distorted mirror
of your own self importance" (Book 1, Chapter
2, Creasy trans.).
•
"But what if others discover your defects and
throw them in your face? Well, that's humility.
And if you suffer that exquisite pain in silence,
it'll lead to, of all things, greater humility
(Book 2, Chapter 2, Griffin trans.).
•
"Love of self—that was the dagger that did me
in. But seeking You and loving You, I found not
only You, but also myself" (Book 3, Chapter 8,
Griffin trans.).
|
•
"Jesus: ‘Strive, my friend, to do another's will
rather than your own; always prefer to have less
than more; always seek the lower place and be
submissive in all things; always wish and pray
that God's will may be entirely fulfilled in you,
for you see, the person who does all this enters
a place of peace and rest'" (Book 3, Chapter 23,
Creasy trans.).
Perhaps
these brief quotations are enough to help us see
humility as a good thing. So then, how do we begin
to grow in it? We are aware that humility is one
of those things we cannot acquire by trying to
acquire it! No, it comes indirectly. We receive
the grace of humility by applying ourselves to
other matters, matters which will place us in
a more proper relationship with God, with others,
and ultimately with ourselves. With regard to
humility we learn:
1.
To contemplate God's greatness and goodness. This
will place us in a more proper relationship with
God.
2.
To serve our family, neighbors, friends, colleagues,
and even enemies. This will place us in a more
proper relationship with each other.
3.
To understand ourselves in light of these more
proper relationships to God and others.
|
