: The key mark of discipleship is servanthood (GREGORY OF NYSSA). The text teaches that discipleship grows first by a downward, lowly movement, as a tree seeking roots, in order then to reach skyward (AUGUSTINE). Be ready to receive the lowly neighbor as if sent by Christ (TERTULLIAN). The disciplines of humility are most pertinent to those most prone to vanity (CHRYSOSTOM). Childlike innocence is characteristic of those who dwell in the kingdom of God (SHEPHERD OF HERMAS).