Catechism and pride

[McatholicN]

I go to a catechism for teenagers class once a week, and I love it! I get so zealous about the faith as well as being able to ask questions to seminarians and faith experts. I get to see a lot of old friends; not to mention snacks and dodgeball. It is the highlight of my week.

The problem is that I am worried this could be a near occasion of pride for me. I know a lot (at least I think I do ) about the faith and can’t help feeling prideful about it. The questions I ask are relatively more advanced than everyone else’s and I like to show off sometimes by using big words and talking about big topics.

My questions regarding this are:
At what point does pride become sinful (what exactly is it?)
At what point would it become mortal sin?
Would this be a near occasion of sin for me?
How can I overcome this (possibly enough to discard the near occasion)?

 

[Bookcat]

I go to a catechism for teenagers class once a week, and I love it! I get so zealous about the faith as well as being able to ask questions to seminarians and faith experts. I get to see a lot of old friends; not to mention snacks and dodgeball. It is the highlight of my week.

The problem is that I am worried this could be a near occasion of pride for me. I know a lot (at least I think I do ) about the faith and can’t help feeling prideful about it. The questions I ask are relatively more advanced than everyone else’s and I like to show off sometimes by using big words and talking about big topics.

My questions regarding this are:
At what point does pride become sinful (what exactly is it?)
At what point would it become mortal sin?
Would this be a near occasion of sin for me?
How can I overcome this (possibly enough to discard the near occasion)?

Seek to be humble…recognize all is gift

Do not seek to show off…but rather to “love truth”.

Mortal sin in pride is things like …“I am so intelligent…I do not even need God!”…

Focus on learning truth etc…and then on practicing “intellectual charity” …

 

[1ke]

I go to a catechism for teenagers class once a week, and I love it! I get so zealous about the faith as well as being able to ask questions to seminarians and faith experts. I get to see a lot of old friends; not to mention snacks and dodgeball. It is the highlight of my week.

The problem is that I am worried this could be a near occasion of pride for me. I know a lot (at least I think I do ) about the faith and can’t help feeling prideful about it. The questions I ask are relatively more advanced than everyone else’s and I like to show off sometimes by using big words and talking about big topics.

My questions regarding this are:
At what point does pride become sinful (what exactly is it?)
At what point would it become mortal sin?
Would this be a near occasion of sin for me?
How can I overcome this (possibly enough to discard the near occasion)?

You suffer from scrupulosity. Therefore, these are questions for your regular confessor who can help you clarify what may really be sinful versus what may be your scrupulosity talking.

 

[McatholicN]

Seek to be humble…recognize all is gift

Do not seek to show off…but rather to “love truth”.

Mortal sin in pride is things like …“I am so intelligent…I do not even need God!”…

Focus on learning truth etc…and then on practicing “intellectual charity” …

Thanks Bookcat; always a great help, you are!

So this would not be a mortal sin of pride, and therefore, no near occasion?

 

[Bookcat]

Thanks Bookcat; always a great help, you are!

So this would not be a mortal sin of pride, and therefore, no near occasion?

No I do not think your future classes are a near occasion for mortal sin!

Are you rejecting your dependence on God? Are you rejecting a legit authority like the Pope?? Or your Bishop?? So no I do not think your in grave areas here…

What you describe…may be sinful. But objectively venial things…

Humility also has to do with truth…so love the truth…and always keep truth with charity.

Work on it the way I suggested…

 

[McatholicN]

No I do not think your future classes are a near occasion for mortal sin!

Are you rejecting your dependence on God? Are you rejecting a legit authority like the Pope?? Or your Bishop?? So no I do not think your in grave areas here…

What you describe…may be sinful. But objectively venial things…

Humility also has to do with truth…so love the truth…and always keep truth with charity.

Work on it the way I suggested…

Only rejecting dependence on God is mortal sin of pride? (Or rejection of truth, of course.)

I used to think it was just thinking of yourself as better than another.

 

[Bookcat]

Only rejecting dependence on God is mortal sin of pride? (Or rejection of truth, of course.)

Yes that is one way that is grave…also the other example I mentioned is a good one.

 

[nickybr38]

Why do people always label such questions as scruplousity? I do not think that’s what you’re suffering from here.

Honestly if you are saying things ONLY to show off how smart you are then that’s bordering on prideful. I’d suggest resisting the urge to speak up when your motivation is PURELY to show off, however let your words fly when you are being genuine and just want to share information.

It’s difficult to find that balance between sharing the faith and showing off your own intelligence but you’re smart enough I’m sure you’ll figure out how to balance the two.

 

[McatholicN]

Yes that is one way that is grave…also the other example I mentioned is a good one.

I hate to drag this out so, and I know I just make a fool of myself doing it, but…
just showing off knowledge is not mortal sin? Of course, I won’t just go out and do it if it isn’t mortal. I want to know because of a possible near occasion. I also kind of look down on people for not knowing as much; is such mortal?

(I’m working on getting to confession. I’ll speak to the confessor when I do.)

 

[Bookcat]

just showing off knowledge is not mortal sin? Of course, I won’t just go out and do it if it isn’t mortal. I want to know because of a possible near occasion. I also kind of look down on people for not knowing as much; is such mortal?

(I’m working on getting to confession. I’ll speak to the confessor when I do.)

No such is not considered grave matter…

and there need not be any sin…just do not consent to any such thoughts etc…

Focus on the fact that all that is good comes from God…and do not compare yourself with others…love the truth…and love others with intellectual charity…and other forms of charity…

 

[McatholicN]

No such is not considered grave matter…

and there need not be any sin…just do not consent to any such thoughts etc…

Focus on the fact that all that is good comes from God…and do not compare yourself with others…love the truth…and love others with intellectual charity…and other forms of charity…

Gratzie!

 

[baltobetsy]

Why do people always label such questions as scruplousity? I do not think that’s what you’re suffering from here.

People don’t always label such questions as scrupulosity, unless the OP has shown by the pattern of questions that he or she is indeed scrupulous. It happens often because scrupulous people ask a lot of questions trying to get the relief that only comes from obeying one’s confessor.

 

[thistle]

I go to a catechism for teenagers class once a week, and I love it! I get so zealous about the faith as well as being able to ask questions to seminarians and faith experts. I get to see a lot of old friends; not to mention snacks and dodgeball. It is the highlight of my week.

The problem is that I am worried this could be a near occasion of pride for me. I know a lot (at least I think I do ) about the faith and can’t help feeling prideful about it. The questions I ask are relatively more advanced than everyone else’s and I like to show off sometimes by using big words and talking about big topics.

My questions regarding this are:
At what point does pride become sinful (what exactly is it?)
At what point would it become mortal sin?
Would this be a near occasion of sin for me?
How can I overcome this (possibly enough to discard the near occasion)?

The best solution for you as many posters in many threads have already told you is to talk to your priest about your scrupulosity. Opening so many threads like this simply feeds your scrupulosity. It doesn’t help it.

TALK TO YOUR PRIEST!

 

[TimothyH]

I don’t think you are being scupulous. I think you are quite right for recognizing your weakness, that you do have some pride. It is prudent to address it early and the fact that you brought it up shows wisdom, that you know yourself to a certain extent. I consider myself a pretty good apologist and I feel it too. The line for me is trying to win arguments.

Remember that both you and the person you are speaking with are children of God. Our Father God and Mother Mary hate when their children fight. What you are trying to do when you speak with another human being about matters of faith is to establish truth. Who wins or looses an argument does nothing to establish truth. We are seeking truth.

How can I overcome this (possibly enough to discard the near occasion)?

God will take care of this for you.

You will get into a debate with some guy in a coffee shop one day only to find out that he is the pastor of a twenty thousand member Baptist Church or a professor of classical Greek and Hebrew at a local college. He will chew you up and spit you out right in front of your girlfriend, not so much with correct doctrine but with debating technique and memory of scripture. He may even say some truths about God and Jesus (and about you!) which you hadn’t thought of.

I’ll give you one guess as to how I know this will happen and how I know it will teach you humility.

You are right to feel some pride. You are an adopted son of God! Do you know how much power that gives you? Power to resist sin and to do good?

But remember above all else, that you have done nothing… NOTHING… to deserve any blessing you have been given, to deserve any revelation you have received or any joy you feel at being Catholic. Every drop of faith you have is a gift from God. Remember that the Bible-thumping Evangelical you are arguing with could convert to Catholicism tomorrow and become the next saint while we can’t even pray a rosary without our minds wandering to unspeakable things.

Read Galatians 5:19-23 and then get a copy of “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas Kempis. That will put you in the right frame of mind.

PAX

-Tim-

 

[thistle]

I don’t think you are being scupulous. I think you are quite right for recognizing your weakness, that you do have some pride. It is prudent to address it early and the fact that you brought it up shows wisdom, that you know yourself to a certain extent. I consider myself a pretty good apologist and I feel it too. The line for me is trying to win arguments.

Remember that both you and the person you are speaking with are children of God. Our Father God and Mother Mary hate when their children fight. What you are trying to do when you speak with another human being about matters of faith is to establish truth. Who wins or looses an argument does nothing to establish truth. We are seeking truth.

God will take care of this for you.

You will get into a debate with some guy in a coffee shop one day only to find out that he is the pastor of a twenty thousand member Baptist Church or a professor of classical Greek and Hebrew at a local college. He will chew you up and spit you out right in front of your girlfriend, not so much with correct doctrine but with debating technique and memory of scripture. He may even say some truths about God and Jesus (and about you!) which you hadn’t thought of.

I’ll give you one guess as to how I know this will happen and how I know it will teach you humility.

You are right to feel some pride. You are an adopted son of God! Do you know how much power that gives you? Power to resist sin and to do good?

But remember above all else, that you have done nothing… NOTHING… to deserve any blessing you have been given, to deserve any revelation you have received or any joy you feel at being Catholic. Every drop of faith you have is a gift from God. Remember that the Bible-thumping Evangelical you are arguing with could convert to Catholicism tomorrow and become the next saint while we can’t even pray a rosary without our minds wandering to unspeakable things.

Read Galatians 5:19-23 and then get a copy of “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas Kempis. That will put you in the right frame of mind.

PAX

-Tim-

Is that a joke?
Look at opening post in all the threads he has started. This guy is one of the most scrupulous people in these forums.

 

[smichhertz]

For the most part, you are fine. It is NOT an occasion of sin. It sounds like you are zealous for your faith and the Holy Spirit has inspired you with love of the Truth!

I like to show off sometimes by using big words and talking about big topics.

This right here could be pride. For instance, asking questions you know are irrelevant or beyond the scope of the lesson for the purpose of showing off what you know. The fact that you want to show off is a red flag. But I highly doubt that it is a mortal sin. Ask questions because you want to understand things better, NOT to show off. It’s fine if your questions seem more advanced than others, but don’t deliberately word things a certain way just to show off.

A good rule of thumb to follow is to remember that everything you have is given to you by God. One of my friends is an amazing musician. He talks all the time about how blessed he is that God has given him an incredible talent. That’s the right attitude to have. If you happen to understand the material better than others than praise God! But give all the praise to Him, and keep none for yourself.

A good example is Mary when she visits her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth immediately praises Mary because she can tell that her child is special. Mary, in turn, immediately praises God for the wonderful gift He has given her. This is the right thing to do, take all praise given to you, and give it to God, because it is Him that has given you the gifts you have.

A little long winded, but hopefully that gives you an idea as to the right mindset to have. All the best!

 

[fhansen]

I go to a catechism for teenagers class once a week, and I love it! I get so zealous about the faith as well as being able to ask questions to seminarians and faith experts. I get to see a lot of old friends; not to mention snacks and dodgeball. It is the highlight of my week.

The problem is that I am worried this could be a near occasion of pride for me. I know a lot (at least I think I do ) about the faith and can’t help feeling prideful about it. The questions I ask are relatively more advanced than everyone else’s and I like to show off sometimes by using big words and talking about big topics.

My questions regarding this are:
At what point does pride become sinful (what exactly is it?)
At what point would it become mortal sin?
Would this be a near occasion of sin for me?
How can I overcome this (possibly enough to discard the near occasion)?

It’s a balancing act. Your zeal, faith, and love for God are genuine and shouldn’t be hidden. But we’re human and need to be aware of our weaknesses. Both of these tendencies (love for God and pride of self) will always be there in this life so it’s never an either/or proposition for now. Pray that charity will increasingly be your guide in these situations.