Saturday, April 28, 2012

"Dust Thou Art...."

The Camp found a real gem.

...At the portal of the Capuchin Church, a member of the funeral procession strikes the closed door with his staff. Behind the door a monk asks who seeks entry. The functionary replies: “Otto von Hapsburg” and proceeds to recite the latter’s long list of imperial, royal, grand ducal and other hereditary titles. From behind the door, the monk answers, “We know him not.” Again, the functionary strikes the door with his staff , this time listing Otto von Hapsburg’s many personal achievements, public positions, and honors. And, again, the monk replies, “We know him not.” For a third time, the door is struck and the monk asks who seeks entry. The answer is much shorter this time: “Otto, a poor dead sinner.” “As such,” the monk responds, “he may enter.” The door opens and the last Imperial heir is laid to rest, like his ancestors, not as one of the mighty of the earth but as a simple child of God....

I'm reminded of an old Jewish proverb:  "If you seek equality, go to a cemetery."

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas รก Kempis:
Book 3, Chapter 13

Of the Obedience of One in Humble Subjection,
After the Example of Jesus Christ

My son, he that endeavoreth to withdraw himself from obedience, withdraweth himself from grace; and he who seeketh for himself private benefit (Matt. 16:24), loseth those which are common. He that doth not cheerfully and freely submit himself to his superior, it is a sign that his flesh is not as yet perfectly obedient unto him, but oftentimes kicketh and murmureth against him. Learn thou therefore quickly to submit thyself to thy superior, if thou desire to keep thine own flesh under the yoke. For more speedily is the outward enemy overcome, if the inward man be not laid waste. There is no worse nor more troublesome enemy to the soul than thou art unto thyself, if thou be not well in harmony with the Spirit. It is altogether necessary that thou take up a true contempt for thyself, if thou desire to prevail against flesh and blood. Because as yet thou lovest thyself too inordinately, therefore thou art afraid to resign thyself wholly to the will of others. And yet, what great matter is it, if thou, who art but dust and nothing, subject thyself to a man for God's sake, when I, the Almighty and the Most Highest who created all things of nothing, humbly subjected Myself to man for thy sake?

I became of all men the most humble and the most abject (Luke 2:7; John 13:14), that thou mightest overcome thy pride with My humility. O dust! learn to be obedient. Learn to humble thyself, thou earth and clay, and to bow thyself down under the feet of all men. Learn to break thine own wishes, and to yield thyself to all subjection.