Book 01: Sect. 01: Ch. 02: Having a Humble Opinion of Self

[Shiann]

Thoughts Helpful in the Life of a Soul:

Having a Humble Opinion of Self

The online version of Section 1: Chapter 2 is available here:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/kempis/imitation.ONE.2.html

[WanderAimlessly]

Do we “know God” without really “knowing God”? We can have all the knowledge in the world about God, but if we do not put it into practice, what good is it. Our “knowledge” should be how to serve God in a way pleasing to him. A good example of this is in Luke 18: 9 – 14:

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

This is a good example of the haughtiness Kempis warns about in this chapter.

St. Therese is right about being simple and childlike for God.

PF

[Giannawannabe]

How many times have I automatically criticized others in my mind? Before even getting to know them? Never giving them the benefit of the doubt? Judging their lifestyle? Their style of dress? Not knowing their heart or soul? It is difficult to always try to think the best of others, "perhaps she had a bad day", "maybe he had a terrible childhood, and was raised with no faith", "this is an opportunity for me to share The Gospel with this person---so that they can know the love of God". Yes. I have made an effort to know my Faith better. However, with that knowledge comes responsibility. I must not think more of myself---to know the Truth is to think less of myself, not more. To be humble is to know that God is in charge---not me. I am an instrument to be used by God--nothing more. I would do well to remember that.

[Grace and Glory]

I've always been known among my friends and family for being very knowledgeable about my faith. I've gotten calls from people whose sole purpose in calling was to ask, "How do I respond to what this person says about this aspect of the faith?" or "How do I know what God wants?" This has made me quite proud, and it's easy for me to get caught up in thinking about how much I know. It's very hard for me to admit that there are so many things, even basic things, that confuse me. One thing I read that has helped me learn what is truly important is 1 Corinthians 8:2 (or 3, don't have a Bible with me)--"Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up."
This section was a great thing for me to read.

[Quaere Verum]

Originally Posted by WanderAimlessly

We can have all the knowledge in the world about God, but if we do not put it into practice, what good is it.

St. Therese is right about being simple and childlike for God.
PF

Kempis continues to expand on the idea of putting Christ's words into practice and does so beautifully when he says, "If you think you know many thing & understand them well enough, realize at the same time that there is much you do not know." We will always know far less than we know no matter how learned or educated or experienced. Therein lies the beauty of simplicity.

You are right WanderAimlessly, St. Therese is an excellent example of this simplicity. One of my favorite lines of her book is when Sister Febrone told Therese, " ...your soul is extremely simple, but when you will be perfect, you will be even more simple; the closer one approaches to God, the simpler one becomes."

Maybe some day we too will be graced with such a compliment.


Quaere Verum
Seek the Truth

[Quaere Verum]

Giannawanabe and Grace & Glory both bring up an excellent point of having great faith and knowledge of that faith yet maintaining humility. "To know the Truth is to think less of myself, not more"; I hope I quoted you correctly Giannawanabe. These are such powerful words. But the question once again is "how"? Will patterning ones life after Christ's, as stated by Kempis, bring about the humility even if at first it does not exist?

[contemplative]

IOC
Book 1
Chapter 2

On Having a Humble Opinion of Self

EVERY man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars.

The very first line in this chapter reminds me of a very wonderful man I know who shared a great lesson with me.

He is a husband and father to many. While his children were growing up he methodically took college classes to advance his learning. He admits that his sight was set on obtaining his doctorate ......and that was it.....his goal was to have the title of doctor. Finally when he did obtain his degee he immediately sunk into a dangerously deep depression. After seeking help for his depression he realized how wrong he was to take such great stock in education and the vain glory of the title doctor. Today he studies philosophy and regularly attends Sunday church service. Truly God lowered him well below the humble rustic. In that episode of his life he learned exactly how meaningless education alone is.

Always keep in mind that all are frail, but none so frail as yourself.
Without God's Graces our lives are meaningless. God bestows His Graces on the humble rustic as well as those who are learned and clever.

[Ani Ibi]

I had a real problem with this excerpt. One branch of my family absolutely disdain education and so all discussions are about opinion divorced from reason and who has the power to enforce their opinion. What they know seems sufficient for them. And Thomas a Kempis warns against this.

If you think you know many things and understand them well 4 enough, realize at the same time that there is much you do not know.

I find studying and learning to be a humbling activity. These moments are not aha! moments. These moments are wow! moments spent in amazement that someone could have such beautiful thoughts.

I have some fears around this part:

If you wish to learn and appreciate something worth while, then love to be unknown and considered as nothing.

For me there is a danger of false humility in being unknown and nothing. I believe that God has big plans for us and that it is a temptation for me to take the easy way, the familiar way, the comfortable way. It is very difficult to accept responsibility for something for which I believe I am unprepared, but if I do not do that, then I decline the invitation of God to stretch and grow.

[Giannawannabe]

Originally Posted by Quaere Verum

. But the question once again is "how"? Will patterning ones life after Christ's, as stated by Kempis, bring about the humility even if at first it does not exist?

Quaere Verum,

I do think this is the best way to start. Try to walk the path of Jesus--making conscious effort to do so. As you walk His walk, your soul will be brought along and begin to be formed as well in His image. Sometimes when I go to confession, and I confess the sins of pride, anger, lack of love to the priest, He tells me that I can't help how I FEEL. However, I can control what my responses are and how I appear to others. Even when I am angry or prideful, I can control my words and actions. For example, if I am looking with disdain on another for the way they live or act, I can use words to transmit a different, more humble response. At first, I think we have to "make ourselves" be like Jesus. As we present this way to the world, our spiritual selves will begin to mirror what our physical selves are saying to the world.

[Fitz]

I think humility must be one of the hardest things to truely understand and to emulate. I love to learn things and I love to discuss, and I think I have fallen into the trap of education many times in my life. I have put Christ aside to study many other things. I feel relieved that I am putting studying Christ and His life ahead of my worldy studies for the time.

This seems to be about priorities. The intellect needs to learn about God, or can drive the soul in the wrong direction.

[Shoshana]

Originally Posted by Fitz

I think humility must be one of the hardest things to truely understand and to emulate. I love to learn things and I love to discuss, and I think I have fallen into the trap of education many times in my life. I have put Christ aside to study many other things. I feel relieved that I am putting studying Christ and His life ahead of my worldy studies for the time.

This seems to be about priorities. The intellect needs to learn about God, or can drive the soul in the wrong direction.

[PHP][/PHP]

St Theresa of Avila commended a great intellect and she preferred her Sisters to possess one than a high sense of piety. It is the intellect that searches oneself in perfecting our journey towards Him Who is perfection.

St Faustina prayed for a great intellect:

To obtain an understanding of God

Jesus, give me an intellect, a great intellect, for this only, that I may understand You better; because the better I get to know You, the more ardently will I love You. Jesus, I ask You for a powerful intellect, that I may understand divine and lofty matters. Jesus, give me a keen intellect with which I will get to know Your Divine Essence and your indwelling, Triune life (1474).

[antiaphrodite]

note to self: Wherefore, if you see another sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself better, for you do not know how long you can remain in good estate.

[CarolAnnSFO]

How do we use our intellect? King Solomon asked for wisdom -- not to exalt himself, but to be able to discern right from wrong and govern the people wisely.

"If you see another commit a grievous sin, or whose faults are flagrant, do not regard yourself as better, for you do not know what you would do if similarly tempted."

The "holier-than-thou" attitude is completely incompatible with humility.

"It is useless to spend much time in talking; only a holy life and a good conscience will ease your mind and satisfy your soul, enabling you to face God with confidence."

I smiled when I read this, as I am simply not a big talker, and I often have too play the patience card while I am being bombarded by someone else's non-stop words.


Crazy Internet Junkies Society
Carrier of the Angelic Sparkles Sprinkle Bag

[Edwin1961]

Originally Posted by Fitz

This seems to be about priorities. The intellect needs to learn about God, or can drive the soul in the wrong direction.

I seem to fall into this trap myself, but it's the distractions that makes me forget about learning about God.

The first chapter leads easily into this one:
To keep from being distracted we need to cetner on Christ, and to Know about Christ is to rid our selves OF the distractions.

It's Easy to say BUT Difficult to do.

With that, I've already got a LOT of soul searching to do! Especially when it come to the 'knowledge of the things of this world'.

From #3
Remember, the more you know, the more severely you will be judged. So do not be pround of any skill or knowledge you may have, for such is an awesome responsibility.

I can relate to that, when I was working fulltime I had a job which I felt SO comfortable that I was never even open to the fact that I could ever be laid-off. Guess what, I got laid-off. I had (and still) to learn humility.

Yet, how many of us listen to Catholic Radio and read a lot about our faith and are not sharing it with others? Raise your hands. I'm just as guilty as the next person. If we don't take THIS knowledge and share it, I am sure we will be severely judged by the advances we have in sharing the Gospel (either by word or deed).

Yes again, I've got a Lot to 'learn'.

[Tonks40]

Originally Posted by antiaphrodite

note to self: Wherefore, if you see another sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself better, for you do not know how long you can remain in good estate.

I'm gonna have to put that done on my notes as well!