These rustic garden steps are a reminder of the ‘degrees of humility’ which are found in the Rule of our Holy Father St Benedict: ‘Wherefore, brethren, if we wish to attain to the summit of humility and desire to arrive speedily at that heavenly exaltation to which we ascend by the humility of the present life, then must we set up a ladder of our ascending actions like unto that which Jacob saw in his vision, whereon angels appeared to him, descending and ascending. By that descent and ascent we must surely understand nothing else than this, that we descend by self-exaltation and ascend by humility. And the ladder erected is our life in this world, which for the humble of heart is raised up by the Lord unto heaven’.

It is said that ‘humility is truth’ – the truth about ourselves, but also the truth of God and His grace, by which we come, as we dare to hope, into His eternal presence. The way may seem rough at times, like the steps, but our God is faithful, and will stand by us.

Let us trust Him then, and see what He will do; and may God bless you this day.