Pride and Humility
one
It is only when we clear away the wreckage of our past by taking responsibility for our wrongs that we find freedom and peace. But we can only clear away the wreckage if we become aware of it, meaning to make a searching and fearless examination of conscience and admitting to the exact nature of our wrongs. But the exact nature can take an almost unlimited variety which is overwhelming.
The great spiritual masters, reflecting on the Word of God have seen that all bad actions come from seven sinful root: Pride, envy, sloth, anger, greed, gluttony and lust. Every one of us suffers from 2-3 of these. Our goal is to figure out from which ones we suffer, and root them out by grace that comes through the sacraments and prayer and by practicing the opposite virtue.
I know which three get me – do you know which ones get you?
two
Today we begin with the one we can all check off – Pride and its vanquisher – humility.
Pride is to have an unrealistic estimation of oneself.
a. I can think too highly of myself – I can be egotistic, arrogant, conceited, or above oneself, - an excessive self-assertion
b. I can think to lowly of myself – timid – an excessive self-consciousness.
The following list (compiled by St. Jose-maria Escriva) is a good criteria for locating your dominant form of pride:
Thinking that what you do or say is better than what others do or say; always wanting to get your own way; arguing when you are not right; arguing when you are right but with bad manners or insisting stubbornly; giving your opinion without being asked, when charity does not demand you to do so; despising the point of view of others; not being aware that all the gifts and qualities you have are on loan (from God); not acknowledging that you are unworthy of all honor or esteem, even the ground you are treading on or the things you own; mentioning yourself as an example in conversation; speaking badly about yourself, so that others may form a good opinion of you; making excuses when rebuked; being hurt that others are held in greater esteem than you; refusing to carry out menial tasks; seeking or wanting to be singled out; dropping words of self-praise in conversation, or words that might show your honesty or wit or skill or professional prestige; being ashamed of not having certain possessions.[1]
three
St Thomas in the Summa (Q. 75, 84) defines Pride in 3 parts:
1. Pride is to turn away from God and seek to satisfy our desire for happiness in the things of the world alone:
a. Every sin consists of two elements
i. Turning away from God (Sirach 10:14)
ii. Turning toward a fleeting good, trying to find all our happiness there
2. Pride is a disordered desire for Excellence or Perfection,
a. to be better than all others,
b. to be above all others
c. to have control or power over all things
3. Pride refuses to be subject to God through His Church in matters of faith and morals
Pride is the radical self-reliance that leads us to believe we have everything we need to be happy; therefore, we do not need God which causes us to not want God and not do the things that foster friendship with God.
Joseph Peiper: “All neurosis seems to have as a common symptom an egocentric anxiety, a tense and self-centered concern for security, an inability to let go. In short, the kind of love for one’s own life that leads straight to the loss of life.”
four
Humility conquers the sin of pride.
If pride is to think too highly of oneself or too lowly of oneself, then humility is to think accurately of yourself.
Joseph Pieper said: Humility is man's estimation of himself according to truth or reality and that's almost all there is to it.
Jesus said to St. Catherine of Siena, “Catherine, remember one thing; I am He who is, and you are she who is not.”
A. In comparison to God, I am next to nothing. I am not God and I have limits. I don’t not have everything I need; therefore I need God and others.
B. In relation to God, I am His immeasurably beloved and precious child. I am worthwhile, I have gifts, talents, and strengths that are needed for the good of others.
five
Gratitude is the bridge to move us from pride to humility.
Each day reflect on these questions: For what am I grateful; and to whom I am grateful? These good things are the concrete manifestations of God’s love for me. Then ask, how I have I responded to His love? With gratitude I recognize my need for God and the good things coming from Him to me.
We grow in gratitude by becoming aware of the good in each present moment. The good of the person I am with, the nature I am walking in, the work I am doing, the meal I am preparing or eating, this time with God in friendship and prayer.
Find the good of each moment and delight in it and you will grow in gratitude.
In this way Happiness follows gratitude.
[1]Furrow, #263.