Pride vs Humility

It has been said that Pride is at the root of all evil in the world.

When God created man, all was "good" and beautiful and pure. Then the Serpent (The King of Deception) entered the picture and tempted Eve to take from the tree of the forbidden fruit. She was tempted with the deception that if she took from the tree she would then be equal with God. She would then know what was Good and what was Evil. She would then become the authority, equal with God.

It was at that point that evil entered humanity. It was through pride that the fall of mankind had begun.

How many of us want to be the authority in our lives and in the lives of others?

How many of us want to be the judge of what is right and what is wrong?

How many of us want to be the judge each day, determining if "I" feel that something is OK or not? Not relying on God, not relying on the Church for advise and direction, but determining for ourselves if something is just or not.

This has been a problem with many catholics, some call them "Cafeteria Catholics," because they choose to believe in some catholic teachings but not in others. They still want to be the ultimate authority in their lives, not God, not the Church.

Why do we have such a problem with Abortion and the use of Contraception?

The Church has always been against such acts. Yet so many want to be "God" and choose for themselves what is permissible or not. They feel capable of over-riding God and determining for themselves what is acceptable. They often rationalize that times have changed, that they are so intelligent, and have become so enlightened, that they can see a greater truth and that God would agree with them on adjusting church teachings.

It is pride that the devil uses to separate us from God, from truth, from life.
It is only through true humility that we can find peace and freedom in this world.

Today's Gospel addresses this issue, as well as other issues, so very well as follows:

Gospel (Mt 23:1-12)

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,"The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example.

For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them.

All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in market places, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'

As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.

Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Christ.

The greatest among you must be your servant.

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

We are very good at telling others what to do, and acting Pius in front of others. But what do we really look like to God? The One who sees the real "us," He can see the complete person, He knows what we do when no one is looking, He knows our real thoughts, He knows our actions and our intentions.

Do we listen more than we talk?

Do we hear others?

Do we serve others for the sole purpose of serving in humility, or is there always an ulterior motive?

Are we seeking recognition, or would we rather complete our actions in private, unnoticed, except in the eyes of God?

Are we truly Humble.....