Taking time to reflect, we can see the damage pride has done in our lives. I imagine excessive pride reared its head when, as young children, we yelled, “Me first!” Phrases like, “I’m right, you’re wrong; Let me do it; What do you know?” easily echo in our memories. Popular culture celebrated that mindset with the famous Sinatra tune, “I Did It My Way.” No one ever told us to try to come in second place. We were all “exceptional.” We might have heard the phrase, “Be humble in victory,” but I think it paled beside the chant, “We are number 1!”
I know that when I perform an examination of conscience before Reconciliation, I start looking for any “big sins” as I review the Ten Commandments and, of course, often think, Well, I was good this month. But I am fooling myself by not focusing on the “small sins” which can quickly pave the way to totally severing my relationship with God. And pride will lead the way down that road I never want to travel.
Jesus Teaches
Using a parable, Jesus speaks to the Pharisees about putting oneself before others. It is the sin of thinking yourself more important than others; smarter than others; more deserving of attention. Ouch does that hit home! Two years ago, I was in a contract position for the state. It irked me that each day other co-workers were not doing their work or needed daily reminders of our process. I knew that I had the answers and never hesitated to tell my manager my displeasure about the others. Why was I surprised when my contract was not renewed?
Jesus Will Not Abandon Us
But it would be wrong of me to dwell on this sin of pride and feel I am unlovable in God’s eye and that I am too far along that road of perdition to turn back. Today’s First Reading and the Responsorial Psalm reassure me that God’s great mercy will gently, maybe at times not so gently, set me on the road to redemption. “Hence, I ask, did they stumble so as to fall? Of course not!” (Rom11: 11-12) and “Were not the Lord my help, my soul would soon dwell in the silent grave.” (Ps 94)
Look to the Humble
I do know that through confessing my prideful ways, God will heal me, but He also puts people in my life who are humble. As I shared, American culture does not celebrate humility, so it takes some effort to find those who are “meek and humble of heart.” Look for those people and use them as your models of behavior. One of our greatest Catholic resources are the saints. In two days, we celebrate all those individuals called to sainthood. Reflecting on some of their lives can guide us on how to embrace humility. Last month we visited St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal. This magnificent building honoring the humble foster father of Christ was the work of a very humble doorkeeper at a Catholic high school, St. Andre Bessette. I am sure he never imagined how his love for Christ and St. Joseph would create a place of prayer for millions of pilgrims. May St. Joseph’s and St. Andre’s holy example of humility be a guide to me!
Our desire for approval by others, including family and friends, makes it easier to trip over into pride.