Pride is always ready to take offense, and with this disposition to resent slights and injuries, how is it possible to live in charity? When we find two persons who are prone to disagree and to whom reconciliation is difficult, we cannot be far wrong in concluding that both are full of pride. Therefore, it is obvious that charity cannot exist without humility.
It is for this reason that St. Paul, after having exhorted Christians to brotherly love, advises them at the same time to be humble: “But in humility, let each esteem others better than themselves,” (Phil. 2:3), for well he knew that brotherly love cannot endure without humility. For where pride exists, there will also arise contentions, quarreling and strife: “Among the proud there are always contentions” (Prov. 13:10).
Let us accept the apostolic admonition, and do not let us blame others for their pride when they cause us displeasure, but rather blame ourselves for not knowing how to bear that displeasure with humility. Let us begin by acquiring that patient humility ourselves which we desire so much to see in others, remembering that it is not through the patience and humility of others that we shall be saved, but by our own.
