St Augustine: On the Fear of God and True Humility
St Augustine, the author of this sermon,#1 was born in 354 in Tagaste in North Africa. He taught rhetoric first in Carthage, and later in Rome and Milan; he was always in search of knowledge. After years of licentious life, he was converted, and baptized; then he became a priest and a bishop. His books and sermons are treasures of Christian thought. He died in 430.
As Scripture testifies, the prophet and psalmist David was chosen according to the heart of God, and he fulfilled every wish of God. He shows us, my beloved brethren, God’s love for his creatures in these words: “Who is like the Lord, our God, who is enthroned on high and looks upon the humble things of the heavens and the earth below?” (Ps 113:5-6). The Almighty Lord of infinite excellence and greatness esteems and appreciates humility in all His creatures, both in the highest and in the lowest of them—that is, in angels and men. Therefore, how necessary it is for us to look continuously after humility and keep it in everything, so as to please our Creator.
The excellence of the virtue of humility can be easily measured by the words of the Lord, when he condemned the pride of the Pharisees: “Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled and he who humbles himself shall be exalted” (Lk 14:11). Only by steps of humility do we ascend to the heights of heaven; not by pride but by humility we reach up to God most high.
It is written: “God resists the proud but bestows his grace on the humble” (Jas 4:6), and in the psalms: “The Lord is on high, yet he takes care of the lowly, and he knows the proud from afar” (Ps 138:6). God takes care of the humble to exalt them, and looks at the proud to pull them down.
Let us learn humility; it brings us closer to God, as he himself says in the Gospel: “Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest” (Mt 11:29).
Because of his pride, the admirable angelical creature was hurled down from heaven; because of Jesus’ humility, our frail human nature won heaven.
The practice of humility is beautiful; it is evidenced by these words of Solomon: “When pride comes, disgrace comes; but with humility there is wisdom” (Prov 11:2). Moreover, another sage says: “Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find grace with God” (Sir 3:18). And God says through the prophet: “My eyes are drawn to the man of humble and contrite spirit, who trembles at my word” (Is 66:2).
The grace of the Holy Spirit does not abide in him who is not humble and meek. God became a humble man to save us; let man be ashamed of being proud. The more the heart lowers itself through humility, the more it is raised up to sanctity; the humble will be exalted in glory.
The first degree of humility consists in listening humbly to the words of truth, keeping them in mind, and putting them into practice. It is certain that truth always flees from those minds which are not humble. The more humble one is, the greater he is in the sight of God; the more glorious the proud person appears among men, the more despicable is he before God.
Trying to gather all other virtues without true humility is like casting dust upon the wind. Thus, the Scripture says: “Why are dust and ashes proud,” (Sir 10:9) while the wind of pride takes away and scatters everything you gained by fasting and alms?
Beware, man, of taking pride in your virtues; you will not be your own judge, but another; before him, humble yourself in your heart, so that he may exalt you in his judgment.
Descend if you want to ascend; humble yourself if you want to be exalted. Thus, being exalted, you will not be humbled.
He who sees his own defects, is beautiful before God. He, who does not give satisfaction to himself, pleases God. Thus, be small in your own eyes, to be great in God’s eyes; the more contemptible you are in your own opinion, the more precious you are in God’s sight. In the greatest honor, have the greatest humility; the greatest praise for an honorable person is his humility.
No one can reach this virtue of humility without the virtue of fear of the Lord; one cannot exist without the other. These, my children, are the effects of the fear of the Lord: “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Ps 111:10); presence of God is the great means to avoid sin; anyone who fears the Lord will be glad in the Day of Judgment.
Some are ashamed of committing sin in the presence of men; how much better is to be ashamed of doing evil in the presence of God, who sees our deeds and also our hearts.
He who has a filial fear of the Lord, tries to do his Will. Different is the fear of servants; servants fear for the penalty, children fear for love of the father. We are children of God; let us fear Him from the sweetness of charity, not from the bitterness of dread.
The wise man fears the Lord in all his actions, because he knows that it is impossible to escape from his presence. The psalmist says to God: “Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” (Ps 139:7); and in another place he adds that “neither from the east nor from the west” is there a hiding place for him who flees from the Lord (cf. Ps 75:7).
He who fears the Lord will receive his doctrine; and he who is vigilant in the observance of his commandments will find an everlasting blessing.
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he is strong against the devil’s temptations; “happy the man who is always on his guard” (Prov 28:14), who always keeps the fear of the Lord before his eyes.
He who fears the Lord turns back and leaves the evil path, directing his steps to the way of virtue; the fear of the Lord renders man prudent and vigilant to avoid sin.
Where there is no fear of the Lord there is perverted life; whoever does not fear God in time of prosperity, let him fear him in time of distress, taking refuge in him who scourges and cures.
“Happy the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands” (Ps 112:1); the fear of the Lord eliminates the fear of hell, because on its account man flees from sin and multiplies good deeds. Then he will reach that kind of fear called holy and everlasting (cf. Ps 19:10), because it is grounded on love. Thus, my brothers, we have to fear the Lord, to be able to love him.
Perfect charity removes the servile kind of fear, giving us an abundance of security and the fullness of every good. Thus, the prophet says: “Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The big lions may grow weak and hungry; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing” (Ps 34:10-11).
For all this, I implore you, my dear ones, to have always before the eyes of your mind the fear of the Lord; and never forget his precepts. Consider seriously that whoever fears the Lord and obeys his laws, goes to life everlasting. On the contrary, whoever scorns and rejects the commandments goes into everlasting torments.
I still beg you to cultivate true humility within your heart; and to implant it in your neighbor, without using false pretensions. Edified by your good example, may they also give glory to God; together with you, may they receive the eternal reward in heaven, with the help and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
FOOTNOTE:
1. De Tempore, Sermon 103.
As Scripture testifies, the prophet and psalmist David was chosen according to the heart of God, and he fulfilled every wish of God. He shows us, my beloved brethren, God’s love for his creatures in these words: “Who is like the Lord, our God, who is enthroned on high and looks upon the humble things of the heavens and the earth below?” (Ps 113:5-6). The Almighty Lord of infinite excellence and greatness esteems and appreciates humility in all His creatures, both in the highest and in the lowest of them—that is, in angels and men. Therefore, how necessary it is for us to look continuously after humility and keep it in everything, so as to please our Creator.
The excellence of the virtue of humility can be easily measured by the words of the Lord, when he condemned the pride of the Pharisees: “Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled and he who humbles himself shall be exalted” (Lk 14:11). Only by steps of humility do we ascend to the heights of heaven; not by pride but by humility we reach up to God most high.
It is written: “God resists the proud but bestows his grace on the humble” (Jas 4:6), and in the psalms: “The Lord is on high, yet he takes care of the lowly, and he knows the proud from afar” (Ps 138:6). God takes care of the humble to exalt them, and looks at the proud to pull them down.
Let us learn humility; it brings us closer to God, as he himself says in the Gospel: “Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest” (Mt 11:29).
Because of his pride, the admirable angelical creature was hurled down from heaven; because of Jesus’ humility, our frail human nature won heaven.
The practice of humility is beautiful; it is evidenced by these words of Solomon: “When pride comes, disgrace comes; but with humility there is wisdom” (Prov 11:2). Moreover, another sage says: “Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find grace with God” (Sir 3:18). And God says through the prophet: “My eyes are drawn to the man of humble and contrite spirit, who trembles at my word” (Is 66:2).
The grace of the Holy Spirit does not abide in him who is not humble and meek. God became a humble man to save us; let man be ashamed of being proud. The more the heart lowers itself through humility, the more it is raised up to sanctity; the humble will be exalted in glory.
The first degree of humility consists in listening humbly to the words of truth, keeping them in mind, and putting them into practice. It is certain that truth always flees from those minds which are not humble. The more humble one is, the greater he is in the sight of God; the more glorious the proud person appears among men, the more despicable is he before God.
Trying to gather all other virtues without true humility is like casting dust upon the wind. Thus, the Scripture says: “Why are dust and ashes proud,” (Sir 10:9) while the wind of pride takes away and scatters everything you gained by fasting and alms?
Beware, man, of taking pride in your virtues; you will not be your own judge, but another; before him, humble yourself in your heart, so that he may exalt you in his judgment.
Descend if you want to ascend; humble yourself if you want to be exalted. Thus, being exalted, you will not be humbled.
He who sees his own defects, is beautiful before God. He, who does not give satisfaction to himself, pleases God. Thus, be small in your own eyes, to be great in God’s eyes; the more contemptible you are in your own opinion, the more precious you are in God’s sight. In the greatest honor, have the greatest humility; the greatest praise for an honorable person is his humility.
No one can reach this virtue of humility without the virtue of fear of the Lord; one cannot exist without the other. These, my children, are the effects of the fear of the Lord: “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Ps 111:10); presence of God is the great means to avoid sin; anyone who fears the Lord will be glad in the Day of Judgment.
Some are ashamed of committing sin in the presence of men; how much better is to be ashamed of doing evil in the presence of God, who sees our deeds and also our hearts.
He who has a filial fear of the Lord, tries to do his Will. Different is the fear of servants; servants fear for the penalty, children fear for love of the father. We are children of God; let us fear Him from the sweetness of charity, not from the bitterness of dread.
The wise man fears the Lord in all his actions, because he knows that it is impossible to escape from his presence. The psalmist says to God: “Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” (Ps 139:7); and in another place he adds that “neither from the east nor from the west” is there a hiding place for him who flees from the Lord (cf. Ps 75:7).
He who fears the Lord will receive his doctrine; and he who is vigilant in the observance of his commandments will find an everlasting blessing.
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he is strong against the devil’s temptations; “happy the man who is always on his guard” (Prov 28:14), who always keeps the fear of the Lord before his eyes.
He who fears the Lord turns back and leaves the evil path, directing his steps to the way of virtue; the fear of the Lord renders man prudent and vigilant to avoid sin.
Where there is no fear of the Lord there is perverted life; whoever does not fear God in time of prosperity, let him fear him in time of distress, taking refuge in him who scourges and cures.
“Happy the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands” (Ps 112:1); the fear of the Lord eliminates the fear of hell, because on its account man flees from sin and multiplies good deeds. Then he will reach that kind of fear called holy and everlasting (cf. Ps 19:10), because it is grounded on love. Thus, my brothers, we have to fear the Lord, to be able to love him.
Perfect charity removes the servile kind of fear, giving us an abundance of security and the fullness of every good. Thus, the prophet says: “Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The big lions may grow weak and hungry; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing” (Ps 34:10-11).
For all this, I implore you, my dear ones, to have always before the eyes of your mind the fear of the Lord; and never forget his precepts. Consider seriously that whoever fears the Lord and obeys his laws, goes to life everlasting. On the contrary, whoever scorns and rejects the commandments goes into everlasting torments.
I still beg you to cultivate true humility within your heart; and to implant it in your neighbor, without using false pretensions. Edified by your good example, may they also give glory to God; together with you, may they receive the eternal reward in heaven, with the help and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
FOOTNOTE:
1. De Tempore, Sermon 103.