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| Source: legacyicons.com |
Dear Parish Faithful & Friends in Christ,
The theme of humility was "front and center" at the Liturgy last Sunday when we heard the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee (Lk. 18:10-14). The kontakion of the day reminds us of this in a very straightforward manner: Let us flee from the pride of the Pharisee and learn humility from the Publican's tears. Let us cry to our Savior: Have mercy on us, O only-merciful One. This prompted me to share some of the great insights into humility from St. John Klimakos (of the Ladder) during the homily. I am reproducing those passages here so that we could further reflect/meditate upon them this week; and for others who may not have been at the Liturgy this last Sunday. _____ HUMILITY From STEP 25 of the Ladder of Divine Ascent St. John Klimakos Where there is humility there will be no sign of hatred, no species of quarrelsomeness, no whiff of disobedience – unless of course some question of faith arises. The man with humility for his bride will be gentle, kind, inclined to compunction, sympathetic, calm in every situation, radiant, easy to get along with, inoffensive, alert and active. In a word, free from passion. Holy humility has this to say: “The one who loves me will not condemn someone, or pass judgment on anyone, or lord it over someone else, or show off his wisdom until he has been united with me. A person truly joined to me is no longer in bondage to the law. The person who asks God for less than he deserves will certainly receive more, as is shown by the publican who begged for forgiveness but obtained salvation (Lk. 18:10-14). And the thief asked only to be remembered in the kingdom, yet he inherited all. _____ Though perhaps the most important words belong to the Lord himself, as we declares at the end of the parable: " ... for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." |
