Pride can do a lot of damage . . . and leave a lasting effect not only on those subjected to it, but to the prideful person him/herself. In Proverbs 16:18 it says, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Acting superior to others can only result in wounds of inferiority and discord. Who wants to hang out with a "one-upper?" Quite frankly, it is exhausting. The minutes feel like hours . . . every time an attempt is made to contribute to the conversation, the prideful person, when beginning to feel inferior, interjects how they do it bigger, faster, better. So as Christians, how do we react when pride rears its ugly head? Do we join in the one upping game or do we act as Our Savior with meekness and humility? We are all guilty of prideful behavior at one time or another. Old wounds fester and get infected unless we take the necessary steps to heal. Healing cannot occur when we continually talk and not listen; brag instead of asking questions. Learn from the Gospels. See the outcome of pride for the followers of Christ, even the chosen Twelve. Read the Litany of Humility and practice it every day. My friends, Jesus is the salve . . . the only cure for pride.
In todays Gospel (Matthew 6:17-29), Herodias' pride was more important than a life:
Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod,
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias’ own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
In Heaven Speaks to Those Who Struggle to Forgive, Jesus offers us insight into how pride comes from our woundedness and inability to forgive:
"It is clear to Me that many suffer from hidden wounds. The only way for these wounds to heal is for the carrier of the wound to forgive the one who inflicted the injury. My dear child, this can be difficult. When a wound finds a home in the heart, it becomes comfortable there. It must be loosened and shifted. Both a willingness to forgive and a spirit of forgiveness are necessary because it is these things that make the wound uncomfortable. The wound then begins to dislodge. This reawakens the pain but only temporarily until the wound is removed altogether. I want to begin this process in you. If you proceed in the process of forgiveness with Me, you will find that forgiveness floods your heart. Your wounds will be gone. I have the power to heal every one of your wounds. When you try to do this alone, you do not experience success and you find
that bitterness persists. Bitterness characterizes My enemy. Forgiveness characterizes Me. You, a beloved little child of God, seek to find peace in your heart. You will only find peace if you step into the stream of goodness. This stream is like a river of grace with which I desire to bathe you, removing all pain and injury. What will remain in your soul is joy. This joy, this heavenly peace, will be obtained by accepting your flaws and accepting the flaws of others. You see, My friend, if you accept the flaws and sins of others, you will soften in attitude toward yourself. I love you. I accept you. I need you to accept yourself so that you will be at peace in My Kingdom and it is through forgiving others that you will find acceptance of your own humanity."
Lay apostles, think about conversations you have with family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances. Are you doing most of the talking or most of the listening? Do a "pride-check" in your next conversation. Who are you emulating? Meek and humble Jesus or the prideful enemy?
Thank you, Lord, for teaching me the importance of eradicating pride from my life and understanding the value of listening. Could You give me a little kick in the pants when I forget?
God bless,
Bonnie
In todays Gospel (Matthew 6:17-29), Herodias' pride was more important than a life:
Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod,
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias’ own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
In Heaven Speaks to Those Who Struggle to Forgive, Jesus offers us insight into how pride comes from our woundedness and inability to forgive:
"It is clear to Me that many suffer from hidden wounds. The only way for these wounds to heal is for the carrier of the wound to forgive the one who inflicted the injury. My dear child, this can be difficult. When a wound finds a home in the heart, it becomes comfortable there. It must be loosened and shifted. Both a willingness to forgive and a spirit of forgiveness are necessary because it is these things that make the wound uncomfortable. The wound then begins to dislodge. This reawakens the pain but only temporarily until the wound is removed altogether. I want to begin this process in you. If you proceed in the process of forgiveness with Me, you will find that forgiveness floods your heart. Your wounds will be gone. I have the power to heal every one of your wounds. When you try to do this alone, you do not experience success and you find
that bitterness persists. Bitterness characterizes My enemy. Forgiveness characterizes Me. You, a beloved little child of God, seek to find peace in your heart. You will only find peace if you step into the stream of goodness. This stream is like a river of grace with which I desire to bathe you, removing all pain and injury. What will remain in your soul is joy. This joy, this heavenly peace, will be obtained by accepting your flaws and accepting the flaws of others. You see, My friend, if you accept the flaws and sins of others, you will soften in attitude toward yourself. I love you. I accept you. I need you to accept yourself so that you will be at peace in My Kingdom and it is through forgiving others that you will find acceptance of your own humanity."
Lay apostles, think about conversations you have with family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances. Are you doing most of the talking or most of the listening? Do a "pride-check" in your next conversation. Who are you emulating? Meek and humble Jesus or the prideful enemy?
Thank you, Lord, for teaching me the importance of eradicating pride from my life and understanding the value of listening. Could You give me a little kick in the pants when I forget?
God bless,
Bonnie
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