Becoming a Community of Disciples

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Becoming a Community of Disciples

expects our conversion and improvement, He should say to us in the future: This you did and I was silent (Ps 49:21). 31 The second step of humility is that one does not love his own will, nor delight in satisfying his own desires, 32 but imitates in his deeds that saying of the Lord: I did not come to do my own will, but that of him who sent me (John 6:38). 33 And again Scripture says: Gratification deserves punishment, but necessity wins a crown. 34 The third step of humility is that for the love of God one submits himself in all obedience to his superior, imitating the Lord of whom the apostle says: He was made obedient even unto death (Phil 2:8). 35 The fourth step of humility is that if in the exercise this very obedience is hard and contrary things, even injustices, are done to one, he embraces patience silently in his conscience, 36 and in enduring does not grow weak or give up, as Scripture says: He who perseveres to the end will be saved (Matt 10:22); 37 and again, Let your heart take comfort, and rely on the Lord (Ps 27:14). 38 And showing that the faithful ought to bear everything for the Lord, however contrary, this text is placed in the mouth of the one who suffers: For you we are afflicted with death the whole day; we are esteemed as sheep to be slaughtered (Rom 8:36; Ps 44:22). 39 And secure in the hope of divine reward they go forward, rejoicing and saying: But in all these things we are triumphant, because of Him who has loved us (Rom 8:37). 40 And also in another place Scripture says: You have tested us, O God; with fire as silver is tested with fire; you have led us into the trap and laid tribulation on our backs (Ps 66:10–11). 41 And in order to show that we should be under a superior it continues, saying: You have imposed men over our heads (Ps 66:12).