"In your relations with one another, clothe yourselves with humility, because God 'is stern with the arrogant but to the humble He shows kindness.' Bow humbly under God's mighty hand, so that in due time he may lift you high. Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:5b-7)
Family life, i.e. living in community, presents tremendous opportunities to grow in virtue, but only if viewed in the knowledge that all persons and outside occurrences are placed before one for the benefit of his salvation. In this light, inconveniences and annoyances are no longer perpetrators of volatility and frustration, but rather reminders of the necessary self-surrender to God's salvific action in one's life. In community life, one's faults are laid bare for all to see; will he humbly accept his lowliness and failings or tersely defend himself by thoughts of the (real or supposed) ingratitude that others show him? When pride pervades actions, it begets resentment when services are not recognized and admired. Yet, when humility infuses service, it bears the fruit of sincere selflessness, sacrifice that is untainted by any desire for recompense, emotional or otherwise.
