In monastic circles, "humility" is a much spoken about and sought after virtue. And in the ranks of any monastic community, one finds a broad assortment of personalities and characters, some more humble, generous and unselfish, some more guarded, egotistic and private. Just because someone has taken on the garments of religious life, does not mean that one has become more holy or more perfected. It can work in just the opposite direction. There is actually a great mystery in this. For some folks, a humble and holy manner of life comes almost naturally. For others, a real "metanoia" is needed, and humility can be quite elusive. It is a theological maxim that "grace builds on nature". Some folks possess such a nature that the addition of grace makes for "instant" glory and ready sanctification. In our community here, we have a small contingent of monks whom I have for a long time labeled as the "little ones". Most of these have been in community for a long time and are up in their years.
These "little" monks tend to go about their business unobtrusively. They are regular, dependable, always willing to help when asked, never judging, typically joyful and peaceful, and of course possessing simple piety and prayfulness. In Scripture, we find many passages of vindication for such souls as these. "A humble, broken heart O Lord, thou will not spurn." "This is the one whom I approve, a lowly afflicted soul which trembles at My word". So then, the "littlest ones" whom one meets in life are perhaps the most blessed and the most worthy to identify oneself with. The spirit of the world simply does not follow this logic as egotism reigns and impiety prospers.
