If pride is the slippery slope to sin, humility has to be the fast-track to holiness. From "pride goeth before the fall" to "the last shall be first and the first shall be last," the Bible tells us over and over again of the peril involved in taking ourselves far too seriously than we should.

As with all things in this fallen world, however, arrogance and vanity come much easier than meekness and a self-effacing spirit.  In this American Idol culture, standing center stage and drinking in the applause is much more appealing than working off in the wings unnoticed and in the dark.

In the example of her life, perhaps no modern-day saint exemplifies the virtue of humility more than Mother Theresa. In a brief series of aphorisms summarized and published on The Catholic Company's website, she explains in very concise terms the behaviors that lead one to the lap of this mother of virtues.

This list is no "Humility for Dummies" or "The Easy Path to Meekness." The behaviors she describes are excruciatingly difficult to put into practice. But in a clear and concise way, Mother Teresa tells us how we are to behave if we want to cultivate this virtue.

It's a list worth reading. It's also a list worth praying about and asking for the grace to put into action.

Catch it here:  http://www.catholiccompany.com/blog/mother-teresas-humility-list