Day 8
Three Degrees of Humility
How close do I want to get to Christ?
c. 1609
Grace to ask for
Lord, let me desire what You desired — even poverty, even humiliation — if it means being closer to You.
"He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross."
Philippians 2:7–8
Composition of Place
Ignatius presents three levels of humility — three degrees of closeness to Christ. Each is a kind of love. The question is how far you want to go.
Points for Meditation
The first degree: not sinning mortally
The first degree of humility is the minimum: I will not commit mortal sin for any reason — for all the wealth or honor or comfort in the world. This is necessary for salvation. It is not heroic. It is the floor, not the ceiling.
The second degree: indifference
The second degree goes further: I have no preference between wealth and poverty, health and sickness, long life and short, honor and dishonor — except as one or the other serves God better. This is the holy indifference of the First Principle and Foundation, now lived rather than merely understood.
The third degree: choosing with Christ
The third degree is the most demanding: given equal service to God, I prefer poverty with Christ poor, insult with Christ insulted, humiliation with Christ humiliated. Not because suffering is good in itself, but because it is where Christ is — and I want to be where He is. This is the degree of the mystics, the martyrs, the great saints. It is also available to ordinary people. Ask for it.
Colloquy
Ask for the desire to desire the third degree — not the achievement of it, but the desire. This prayer is itself a form of it: "Lord, I want to want what You want. I want to love what You love. I want to be where You are." Begin there.
Remain in silence for a few minutes.
Do not rush to the next exercise.