God asks us for humility. Saint Michael the Archangel and the Rule of Saint Benedict.

Neither shines, nor applause, nor thousands of followers, nor success, nor fame, nor the perfect speech, nor stand out, nor stand out, nor be the first. None of that asks the Lord. What he asks of us is humility.

The world prepares us to get the best position, to win the game, to be recognized, to be paid more, to fulfill our dreams, to pursue our desires. But to be pleasing to God we have to do His will and not ours . Jesus taught us to pray by telling the Father "Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." He himself fulfilled the will of the Father even if that involved suffering on the cross and dying.

At the beginning of the Lent of 2017, in the Vatican, in a meeting held with the clergy of the Diocese of Rome, Pope Francis told the priests: “Evil originates from an act of spiritual pride and is born from the pride of a perfect creature, Lucifer. Afterwards, it infects Adam and Eve based on their desire to be like gods, not their fragility ” (1).

The Holy Pontiff said that in the case of Peter “the Lord does not fear for his fragility of a sinful man or his fear of walking on water in the middle of a storm. He fears, above all, the discussion of which is the greatest ” (1).

It is not necessary to be bigger. There is no need to sit next to the Lord. You have to be the last of all and serve.

Pride and pride are at the center of the origin of evil. Lucifer, "the one who carries the light, " rebels against God and the celestial battle begins. Harmony and peace are tinged with pain and war. Angels vs. Angels "Until a cry of fidelity and compliance in the mouth of an unknown archangel restores the harmony of victory" (Celeiro, 2014, p. 3). From that day the Archangel is baptized as Mikael, which means " Who as God ." The beloved Archangel Michael, soon to fulfill the will of God, to defend and protect man from the lurking of the devil. In the war between pride and humility, humility has emerged victorious.

Humility in the Rule of Saint Benedict

The mandate is to be humble. How everything in life, to be humble, is learned. Saint Benedict of Nursia, in "The Holy Rule" that he wrote in the sixth century to guide life in the monasteries, dedicates chapter VII to teach us how to raise the twelve degrees of humility necessary to reach the Love of God. Below I summarize what St. Benedict wisely wrote.

The first degree of humility is to be fearful of God . Remember that hell embraces those who despise God and that eternal life awaits those who fear God. Always knowing that nothing is hidden in the eyes of God, and that angels announce our works and thoughts.

The second degree of humility is that one does not love his own will, nor does he seek to fulfill his wishes. Let us imitate Jesus who said “I did not come to do my will but that of the One who sent me” (Jn 6, 38). The Scripture tells us "Get away from your wills " (Ecli 18, 30). He also warns us: "There are ways that seem straight to men, but their term sinks deep into hell " (Prov 16, 25).

The third degree of humility is that one submit to the superior and always be obedient. Like Jesus, of whom Saint Paul said "He became obedient until death" (Flp 2, 8).

The fourth degree of humility is that you patiently support the annoying things and insults that you may receive and that you must abide by obedience. And even if the road is difficult, don't get tired or give up. For the Scripture says "He who endures to the end will be saved " (Mt 10, 22).

The fifth degree of humility is that one does not hide from the priest bad thoughts and bad actions committed in secret, but humbly confess them . The Scripture says " Confess to the Lord because he is good, because his mercy is eternal " (Ps 105, 1).

The sixth degree of humility consists in being happy with the despicable and in saying as the Prophet “ I was reduced to nothing and I knew nothing; I was like a judgment in your presence, but I will always be with you ”(Ps 72, 22-23).

The seventh degree of humility is that you create yourself from the bottom of your heart and proclaim it by saying "It is good for me that you have humbled me to learn your commandments" (Ps 118, 71).

The eighth degree of humility consists in “that the monk does nothing but what the common Rule of the monastery or the example of the elders tells him to do ” (San Benito de Nursia, 2010, p. 40). Translated for life outside the monastery I understand that one could say that it is better to avoid the initiatives themselves, participation without prior invitation, unsolicited suggestions and advice, the beginning of unnecessary conversations with superiors. It is better to wait for them to ask us, ask us, indicate us.

The ninth degree of humility consists in keeping silent and not speaking until asked. Teach the Bible that in a lot of talk sin is not avoided (Prov 10, 19) and that the man who speaks a lot does not walk right on earth , 12).

The tenth degree of humility is that one does not laugh easily.

The eleventh degree of humility consists in speaking, when competent, with sweetness and without laughing, with humility and with gravity, saying few and judicious words, and without raising your voice, for it is written : The wise person is recognized by his few words (San Benito de Nursia, 2010, p. 41).

The twelfth grade consists in demonstrating the humility that one carries in the heart with one's own body . Walk with your head bowed, with your eyes fixed on the ground. This is seen in the Trappist monks when they bow down when they say Gloria to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit . With all your heart and with your body you have to show that honor, power and glory are for God, and only for him.

Someone once said: all the good that is in me has been given to me by God, and the bad that I have, comes from me. That is why it is only to surrender to the feet of God.

Bet on humility

Once a lady told me that it would take me a lifetime to learn to be humble. Different priests have advised me to be more humble. I am sure that the Fathers have spoken wisely. But I hope that with the help of God I will learn to be humble in less time, and that what will take me a lifetime is only to be humbler every day, every day more dedicated to God's will and obedience. And so I can have the immense joy of God's Love.

Sources and Bibliography:

The book of the People of God - THE BIBLE. Buenos Aires: Editorial San Pablo, 1981.

Celeiro, Juan Ramón. Saint Michael the Archangel: the warrior of God. Buenos Aires: Santa Maria, 2014.

From Nursia, San Benito. The Holy Rule Buenos Aires: San Pablo, 2010.

(1) The Catholic Information Agency - ACI Press - Miguel Pérez Pichel - 2/3/2017 https://www.aciprensa.com/noticias/papa-francisco-dios-permite-que-el-demonio-tiente-a priests-to-grow-in-faith-31536 /

Editor: Cecilia Wechsler, collaborator of the Great White Brotherhood hermandadblanca.org