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Iolanda Therezinha Marcier
An Explanation
About Modesty
(A dialogue between Soror Iolanda and the Master
who appeared to her on her last days)
What do we have to do to become modest? Then the Master explains:
- Modest are the ones who carry the cross and neither complains about its weight,
nor begs anyone to take it away from them. They ask for strength in order to carry
it. Modest are the ones who have carried the cross and let themselves to be nailed
on it with hope. Modest are the ones who have been nailed on the cross and understand
that if one is crucified, one cannot move. Modest are the ones who say: "I
am not here from my own will but for God's." Modest are the ones who think
that everything good to them happened because of God, and everything bad happened
because of them. Modest are the ones who obey. Modest are the ones who think they're
the most incompetent among everyone, but still try to do their best in order to
do something right. Modest are the ones who when are insulted, look down and do
not say anything back. Modest are the ones who when are exalted say they do not
deserve it. Modest are the ones who are beaten by misfortune and say: "Thank
you, my Lord for this opportunity to develop myself." Modest are the ones who
admit they cannot understand God's will. However, they can feel it with all their
love and light. These are the modest ones who reached the First Step of Modesty.
- There are so many conditions to reach just
the First Step; does it mean that there are more?
- The way to modesty has 12 steps.
The Second Step is to make use of all the things learned on the First Step without
expecting any kind of reward.
- Of what consists the Third Step?
- The Third Step of Modesty consists of not being in a rush
to progress and get to the Fourth Step.
- Of what consists the Fourth Step?
- The fourth Step consists on going back to the First Step,
spontaneously, every day.
- What about the Fifth?
- Of the Fifth Step one must admit s/he is not modest enough
and must improve in modesty. By the time one gets it, s/he moves automatically to
the Sixth Step.
- Of what consists the Sixth Step of Modesty?
- Of the Sixth Step, one must give priority to others and
say: "If I need to stop progressing to help someone else, I'll do that; if
I have to humiliate myself I'll do that."
- What about the Seventh Step?
- Of the Seventh Step, one must love as her/himself all the
living things on earth, either human beings, animals or plants, understanding that
none of them is inferior.
- And the Eighth Step?
- It consists of taking delight in nothing possessing, thanking
God for that.
- Of what consists the Ninth Step of Modesty?
- This Step harmonizes three triangles. It consists on living
and showing joy when worthless, tiring and repetitive tasks are being done under
the toughest conditions and under pressure without any kind of recognition.
- And the Tenth Step?
- It consists of accepting growing old, becoming physically
weak and dying. Saying: "Thank you Lord for making me live until now."
- Master, of what consists the Eleventh Step
of Modesty?
- The Eleventh Step of Modesty consists of accepting incurable
diseases, and to keep saying, even though the suffering is atrocious: "Lord,
thank you very much for this suffering that makes me grow."
- Finally, on what consists the Twelfth Step
of Modesty?
- It consists on saying, with all your heart: "Lord,
I am nothing, I know nothing, I am the last of the worms, and I can't even pray
for my enemies, because I don't have any. Even being worthless and insignificant,
I offer this suffering to atone for others' sins, so that they will not have to
pass through what I had. I'll do this for them with great joy. I beg humbly to you
to accept my requests, because You, my Lord, are Fair and Merciful, and nothing
happens unless you allow.
- What kind of award wills I receive, oh Master,
by the time I reach such a high Step? What title and poers will I have?
- And the Master replied: Your award will be the anonymity,
your title will be "Master" and you'll have the power to teach what you've
learned but only to the ones who really want to learn.
- What satisfaction will I have in such a special
condition?
- You will be able to radiate a Peace Profound on all human beings,
you won't be afraid of the unknown and of the suffering, which comes from loosing
something, since you won't have anything to lose. This is the satisfaction you will
have when you reach the Twelfth Step of Modesty, which makes you qualified to the
First Step of Love.
[RETURN]
