NSoC 25: Humility against Despair

See Notes on this series...

Long chapter with some timely points.

Merton describes despair as a matter of pride so deep that it is willing to accept eternal condemnation rather than acknowledging the person and power of God and accepting his joy. Truly humble men cannot despair because they don't possess the self-pity that is required.

Merton again declares the absolute necessity for humility in the spiritual life. Perfect humility is found only by union with God, but there is a danger in the concept of "desiring God" when it reduces God to a commodity that we must purchase. He speaks of some of the many people who've entered the monastery only to leave because they misunderstood this principle.

Merton then declares that "a humble man is not disturbed by praise," but a man who is not humble cannot accept praise properly. He is disturbed by it, tripped up by his own clumsiness with it, tormented with it. He is not like the man opposite who is consumed by desire of praise and that everyone can see through. Truly humble men receive praise light through a clean window: the cleaner the window the clearer the light. They do this because there is not hint of self-consciousness within them and they are able to properly focus on the one who truly deserves the praise.

Merton closes by stating that humble men aren't afraid to fail, because he has perfect confidence in his God. "Humility is the surest sign of strength."

Quaff:
This chapter really hit home with me because of some recent events in my life that have challenged my humility. I fear I have fallen in the trap that Merton lays out. Unfortunately, I am outside my normal sphere of operations, so I didn't get to read the chapter as closely as I'd like. I commit to read it again soon. Some blog posts may result. Stay tuned.