October 10

Chapter 7 pt. 16

The Rule of Benedict October 10

I said previously that the twelfth step of humility deals with the outward demeanor of the monastic, and that is true, but it also describes an inward state of being.  The inward state is one wherein we live with an acute awareness of the egoic self-interests that lie hidden at the core of our personality.  These are our "sins at every moment," which corrupt even the best of our motives and intentions.  This state of self-awareness is the top rung of the ladder--this ascent by descent--that Benedict describes in chapter 7.  When we reach it, although we feel demolished and helpless, we have "presently come to that perfect love of God which casts out fear."