Three Modes of Humility

Introduction: We will now consider the 3 Kinds of Humility

Preparatory Prayer [46]: I will beg God our Lord for grace that all my intentions, actions, and operations may be directed purely to the praise and service of His Divine Majesty.

Mental Representation: Saint Ignatius does not give a scene to consider, but it could be helpful to picture a scene:. Matthew the tax collector (Mt 9), the rich young man (Lk 18), or even the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin (Lk 1).

Grace:  I will ask God for what I desire: Here it will be to be filled with love for the true doctrine of Christ our Lord [164]

Points [165-167]:

The first kind of humility. This is necessary for salvation. It consists in this, that as far as possible I so subject and humble myself as to obey the law of God our Lord in all things, so that not even were I made lord in all things, so that not even were I made lord of all creation, or to save my life here on earth, would I consent to violating a commandment, whether divine or human, that binds me under pain of mortal sin.

While it is not the most perfect, this first degree of humility recognizes the ridiculousness of sin.  Anything that rids sanctifying grace from the soul is quite ridiculous.

Like practical prudence of a good businessman — many are able to see that it is never logical to gain the good things of the world if it will result in the loss of eternal good. Jesus makes reference to this sort of common sense: the persistent women who asked the judge to render a just decision (Lk 18,1). The judge was not a good judge, but in a certain way, Jesus praises him, saying that at least he had common sense to protect his own life. Jesus also points out the Pharisees and their ability to think straight: they know how to interpret the appearance of the sky for predicting the weather forecast: looking up at the sky, you say it will be fair weather or it will be stormy today (Mt 16,2). It never makes sense to go for anything that puts one’s eternal salvation at risk. The first degree of humility is commendable because it desires to live, and to protect itself from eternal loss.

The second kind of humility. This is more perfect. I possess it if my attitude of mind is such that I neither desire nor am I inclined to have riches rather than poverty, to seek honor rather than dishonor, to desire a long life rather than a short life, provided only in either alternative I would promote equally the service of God our Lord and the salvation of my soul. Besides this indifference, this second kind of humility supposes that not for all creation, nor to save my life, would I consent to commit a venial sin.

This disposition is much closer to the perfection of God. We can say that such people will always put God above their personal enjoyment. They only enjoy creatures when and if they are in harmony with God. As long as God is not offended, they will enjoy the things of the Earth – but, at the first sign of disorder, they will abandon all things before offending God with sin.

These people have worked and labored for virtue and gained perfect indifference. They know how to live among creatures.

The third kind of humility. This is the most perfect kind of humility. It consists of this. If we suppose the first and second kind attained, then whenever the praise and glory of the Divine Majesty would be equally served, in order to imitate and be in reality more like Christ our Lord, I desire and choose poverty with Christ poor, rather than riches; insults with Christ loaded with them, rather than honors; I desire to be accounted as worthless and a fool for Christ, rather than to be esteemed as wise and prudent in this world. So Christ was treated before me.

To lose oneself in the other:

The third degree of humility is totally oriented towards the other.

Saint Francis de Sales questioning the BVM at the Cross:

Ah, Mother of life itself, what do you seek on Mount Calvary in that place of death?  She answers, “I seek my Child, who is the life of my life.” “But why do you seek him?  “To be close to him.”  “But now he is among the sorrows of death.” “Ah, it is not joy that I seek, it is himself.  My heart, full of love, makes me seek always to be united to that loving Child, my dear and loved one.”  In brief, in such a union the soul’s intention is solely to be with its beloved (22).

Ignatius presents the full picture of perfection – the 3^rd degree of humility.

Colloquy.  If one desires to attain this third kind of humility, it will help very much to use the three colloquies at the close of the meditation on the three Classes of Men. He should beg our Lord to deign to choose him for this third kind of humility, which is higher and better, that he may the more imitate and serve Him, provided equal or greater praise and service be given to the Divine Majesty.