Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Prayer: Dirt, Worms and Humility

Last night, reading the chapter on Humility from the Rule of St. Benedict (chapter 7) in an older translation, I smiled to see a suggestion that we should think of ourselves as a worm, and not even human. Actually, I am rather fond of earthworms, who are an important part of our ecology. Any gardener, turning a compost pile, would rejoice to see a plenitude of worms. They turn "stuff" into good, rich, productive humus, fit for growing delicious vegetables, and exquisite flowers. Considering that I am a human created from humus makes humility an appropriate response to the Holy. I don't mind confessing that I am a worm.

(With thanks to the Holy Living, Living Wholly group in Emmaus.)

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