Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope

Because you have thought yourself to have the mind of a god, Therefore I will bring against you foreigners, the most barbarous of nations. They shall draw their swords against your beauteous wisdom, they shall run them through your splendid apparel. They shall thrust you down to the pit, there to die a bloodied corpse, in the heart of the sea.

Pride can undo all our good works. It can make us think we know better than God. It can convince us that we deserve all the honor, glory, and praise for what we do. However, the spirit of pride only leads to our destruction. While it may lift us up in the world, it tears down our relationship with God. We become new Adams and Eves, deciding we can discern right and wrong for ourselves without thought to God’s commandments, teachings, or inspirations. The only protection from this deadly sin is the virtue of humility. We must be willing to humble ourselves even in our successes. We cannot let our selfish inclinations lead us astray. Instead, we must put aside our self interests and be willing to make ourselves into living sacrifices to God and for the good of others. Only then will we be like God... because we will have put on His Will.

Are there areas of our lives where pride has crept in? Do we give all glory, honor, and praise to God for all the goods we have? How can we become humbler people?

O Lord, drive all pride out of us and replace it with humble trust in you.

Amen.