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  THE FIFTH DEGREE OF HUMILITY
  by St. Benedict of Nursia
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Summary: The fifth degree of humility is revealed through the practice
of hiding no evil thoughts from one's Abbot and confessing secret sins,
as urged by Scripture.

Topics: "Christian Humility", "Spiritual Confession"
Scripture References: Psalm 105:1

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DESCRIPTION
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St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of humility in
confessing our sins and evil thoughts to God without hiding anything
from Him or our spiritual leaders. He highlights the scriptural
encouragement to reveal our ways to the Lord, confess our sins, and seek
His mercy, as seen in Psalms 36:5, 105:1, and 31:5. By openly
acknowledging our offenses and seeking forgiveness, we experience the
transformative power of God's mercy and grace in our lives.

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CONTENT
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The fifth degree of humility is that he hide from his Abbot none of the
evil thoughts that enter his heart or the sins committed in secret, but
that he humbly confess them. The Scripture urges us to this when it
says, "Reveal your way to the Lord and hope in Him" (Ps. 36[37]:5) and
again, "Confess to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures
forever" (Ps. 105[106]:1). And the Prophet likewise says, "My offense I
have made known to You, and my iniquities I have not covered up. I said:
'I will declare against myself my iniquities to the Lord;' and 'You
forgave the wickedness of my heart'" (Ps. 31[32]:5).

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/st-benedict-of-nursia/the-fifth-degree-of-humility/
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