Humility: An Overarching Theme in the Rule of St. Benedict In The Rule of St. Benedict, a large section of the work is devoted to analyzing humility, which seems to run as an overarching theme throughout the work itself. While a focus on all twelve stages of the humility is too large in scope for this assignment, I will be focusing on the fear of the Lord and humility manifest in all facets of life. Prior to analyzing humility, it is important to first define what it is and why it is important. Saint Benedict believes that the only way to quickly reach “exaltation in heaven” is by climbing “by the humility of this present life” (Rule 7.5). For monks, living with humility and climbing up the 12 stages of humility was the proper way to live
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According to Benedict, “after ascending all these steps of humility…[they] will quickly arrive at the perfect love of God which casts out fear” (7.67). This marks a vast contrast between step one in which monks act with humility out of fear of God because the fear that had been previously found in the monks has been replaced with a “perfect love” for Christ. Thus the monk is no longer motivated to act with humility because of fear but out of a “love for Christ” (7.69). After going through all twelve steps the monk will “naturally” and out of habit act with humility out of a “delight in virtue” (7.69). After going through the twelve steps of humility the monk experiences a significant change in internal convictions. Benedict says “all that he once performed with dread” he will now do subconsciously and out of the “delight” of acting with humility (7.68). I agree with this version of humanity put forward by Benedict in the twelfth step. I do not believe that we need to be threatened with repercussions to act virtuously and in a humble manner, which seems to be the central point in step one. I think that acting morally is instilled in us and should be instinctive if we allow ourselves to act this way. Furthermore, after the twelfth stage the Holy Spirit manifest in the humbled monk will cleanse them “of vices and sins” (7.70). This is a particularly interesting claim that Benedict makes because if a monk finally reaches the final stage then he is wiped of all vices and sins he committed throughout his life. As a result, this led me to think that achieving and fulfilling the twelfth step of humility is a returning to the original likeness of God that humans had prior to original sin and is the acceptance of one’s
According to Benedict, “after ascending all these steps of humility…[they] will quickly arrive at the perfect love of God which casts out fear” (7.67). This marks a vast contrast between step one in which monks act with humility out of fear of God because the fear that had been previously found in the monks has been replaced with a “perfect love” for Christ. Thus the monk is no longer motivated to act with humility because of fear but out of a “love for Christ” (7.69). After going through all twelve steps the monk will “naturally” and out of habit act with humility out of a “delight in virtue” (7.69). After going through the twelve steps of humility the monk experiences a significant change in internal convictions. Benedict says “all that he once performed with dread” he will now do subconsciously and out of the “delight” of acting with humility (7.68). I agree with this version of humanity put forward by Benedict in the twelfth step. I do not believe that we need to be threatened with repercussions to act virtuously and in a humble manner, which seems to be the central point in step one. I think that acting morally is instilled in us and should be instinctive if we allow ourselves to act this way. Furthermore, after the twelfth stage the Holy Spirit manifest in the humbled monk will cleanse them “of vices and sins” (7.70). This is a particularly interesting claim that Benedict makes because if a monk finally reaches the final stage then he is wiped of all vices and sins he committed throughout his life. As a result, this led me to think that achieving and fulfilling the twelfth step of humility is a returning to the original likeness of God that humans had prior to original sin and is the acceptance of one’s