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

I'm Chris McGregor.

The Sixth Degree of Humility, Episode 21.

With the sixth degree of humility, St. Benedict turns to the ordinary realities of daily life.

Here, humility is shown in the way a person receives his work,

his place, and even the unnoticed parts of life with peace.

This part of the rule asks something simple, though it is an easy.

Can a person live faithfully without needing to be singled out, excused, or constantly reassured?

From Chapter 7 of the Rule of St. Benedict.

The sixth degree of humility is that a monk be content with the lowest and most

menial treatment and regard himself as a poor and worthless workman in whatever task he

is given.

This part of the rule can sound severe at first,

especially when St. Benedict speaks of lowly treatment

and of being a poor and worthless workman.

But he isn't teaching self-hatred.

He's teaching freedom.

He's loosening pride,

especially the kind that always wants a better place, a more appealing task, or a little more notice.

The sixth degree of humility is lived in very ordinary ways.

It shows up in small tasks, hidden work, and responsibilities that don't draw much attention.

It shows up when the work isn't impressive, the role isn't prominent, and the effort goes

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