The rule of St. Benedict for a daily life, learning to listen to God with a discerning heart.

I'm Chris McGregor.

The fourth degree of humility, episode 19.

With the fourth degree of humility, St. Benedict turns to perseverance when obedience becomes

difficult. Here, humility is revealed in times of strain, contradiction, and possible

on just treatment. The Benedictine way doesn't romanticize suffering. It forms a heart that

can remain steady without retaliation,

collapse, or flight.

This kind of humility is not weakness.

It is the strength, fueled by grace,

to remain steady and faithful.

From Chapter 7 of the rule of St. Benedict,

the fourth degree of humility is that if, in this obedience, one meets with difficulties and injustices,

even if they are inflicted unjustly, one bears them patiently and quietly,

and perseveres without growing weary or giving up.

St. Benedict speaks here with great realism.

Obedience does not guarantee ease, understanding, or fairness.

A person may do what is right and still meet resistance, disappointment, or correction that feels undeserved.

The fourth degree of humility begins there.

What St. Benedict is describing is not silent surrender to evil, nor permission for others to misuse authority.

Obedience is always ordered to God, truth, and charity.

It belongs within the real duties of one's vocation and the legitimate responsibilities of those who hold authority. But even within that

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