A study on the modern "virtue" pride and it's ancient antidote - humility.
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Monday, September 27, 2021
Crossroads of Pride & Love
Love seeks to serve, regardless of recognition
Pride seeks to serve, but on the condition of recognition
Watch video reflection here:
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Sunday, August 29, 2021
"How could we possibly think badly of others?"
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You will only be good if you know how to see the good points
and the virtues of the others. That is why when you have to correct, you
should do so with charity, at the opportune moment, without humiliating. And
being ready yourself to learn and to improve in the very faults you are
correcting. (The Forge, 455) |
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One of its first expressions is to initiate the soul into the
ways of humility. When we sincerely see ourselves as nothing; when we
understand that, without God’s help, the weakest and most puny of creatures
would be better than we are; when we see we are capable of every kind of
error and every kind of abomination; when we realize we are sinners, even
though we are earnestly struggling to turn our back on our many infidelities,
how could we possibly think badly of others? Or how could we harbour fanaticism,
intolerance or haughtiness in our hearts? Humility leads us as it were by the hand to treat our
neighbour in the best way possible, that is, being understanding towards
everyone, living at peace with everyone, forgiving everyone; never creating
divisions or barriers; and behaving — always! — as instruments that foster
unity. Not in vain is there in the depths of man’s being a strong longing for
peace, for union with his fellow man, for a mutual respect for personal
rights, so strong that it seeks to transform human relations into fraternity.
This longing reflects something which is most deeply imprinted upon our human
condition: since we are all children of God, our fraternity is not a cliché
or an empty dream; it beckons as a goal which, though difficult, is really
ours to achieve... In prayer, with God’s grace, pride can be transformed into
humility. Then, true joy wells up in our heart, even though we feel that the
wings of our soul are still clogged with the mud, the clay of our
wretchedness which is now beginning to dry out. If we practice mortification
the mud will fall off, allowing us to soar very high, because the wind of
God’s mercy will be blowing in our favour. (Friends of God, 233 and 249) |
Friday, August 27, 2021
“Religion is the greatest rebellion of men”
This is because, as I have told you on other occasions, religion
is the greatest rebellion of men, who refuse to live like animals, who are
dissatisfied and restless until they know their Creator and are on intimate
terms with him. I want you to be rebels, free and unfettered, because I want
you — it is Christ who wants us! — to be children of God. Slavery or divine
sonship, this is the dilemma we face. Children of God or slaves to pride, to
sensuality, to the fretful selfishness which seems to afflict so many souls.
Friday, October 13, 2017
Humility Of Heart
MEDITATION OF THE DAY |
"The true reason for which God bestows so many graces upon the humble is this, that the humble are faithful to these graces and make good use of them. They receive them from God and use them in a manner pleasing to God, giving all the glory to Him, without reserving any for themselves. ... It is certainly true that he who is humble is also faithful to God, because the humble man is also just in giving to all their due, and above all, in rendering to God the things that are God's; that is, in giving Him the glory for all the good that he is, all the good that he has and for all the good that he does; as the Venerable Bede says: 'Whatever good we see in ourselves, let us ascribe it to God and not to ourselves.' To give thanks to God for all the blessings we have received and are continually receiving is an excellent means of exercising humility, because by thanksgiving we learn to acknowledge the Supreme Giver of every good. And for this reason it is necessary for us always to be humble before God. St. Paul exhorts us to render thanks for all things and at all times: 'In all things give thanks.' (1 Thess. 5:18). 'Giving thanks always for all things.' (Eph. 5:20). But that our thanksgiving may be an act of humility it must not only come from the lips but from the heart, with a firm conviction that all good comes to us through the infinite mercy of God."
— Rev. Cajetan da Bergamo, p. 87-8
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