Abbey-Roads2

St. Ignatius on humility.

“The first kind of humility is this:  This is the kind that is necessary for my eternal salvation, and consists in subjecting and humbling myself so that I can obey the law of God…”

Ignatius briefly explains this as being a determination to avoid mortal sin - to keep the commandments of God, and by extension, the Church. This is critical, because the foundation of humility rests upon this fundamental support.  We cannot live in sin and be humble, because sin is rebellion against God.  Even if we try to say we have no sin, as many do today, it is a false humility.  Societal examples can be seen in those who have accommodated their conscience to living in certain sinful conditions.  For instance; divorced and remarried persons who approach Communion, contracepting couples, sexually active homosexuals, and so on.

“The second kind of humility: The second is more perfect than the first.  I have it if I find myself at a point where I do not desire, nor even prefer, to be rich rather than poor, to seek fame rather than disgrace…provided it is the same for the service of God and the good of my soul…”

Ignatius continues his instruction with the attitude the soul must have of avoiding even deliberate venial sin, no matter the cost, even one’s life.  Most ordinary folks cannot get through a day without venial sin, at least involuntary venial sin.  I know I commit venial sin each day - I understand that during my daily examen - midday and at night.

Sometimes I think many of us can take venial sin for granted.  We know it is easily forgiven, and we are not obligated to confess venial sins.  That is a dangerous attitude however, since habitual venial sins weaken the soul and may incline one to commit mortal sin.  A lax attitude towards venial sin is a serious failure in our love for God, whom every sin offends.  Deliberate venial sins and imperfection are often the cause of acedia or sloth in the spiritual life, leading to persistent lukewarmness and indifference.

“The third kind of humility: This is the more perfect humility.  It is present when - given the first and second kinds are included, and supposing equal praise and glory of the divine majesty - in order to imitate Christ our Lord and to be actually more like him, I want to choose poverty with Christ poor rather than wealth, ignominy with Christ rather than fame, and I desire more to be thought a fool and an idiot for Christ, who first was considered such, rather than to be thought wise and prudent in this world.”

I have no comment on this last degree of humility.

July 31 is the feast of St. Ignatius Loyola.