Pride

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Robert_Burns

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What a deep subject that is.

Now we know that this is the Chief Capital Sin. Pride. The very opposite of Humility. In my view - Pride is the enemy of Faith. In America we are taught to be self reliant - to go for the gusto - to never quit - to be a winner. But is that always the best course of action?

Even as it comes to Faith itself - do we often times think we know more than the Priest. Know better than the teachings of Holy Mother the Church.

How do we temper the American way of life and its values with humility?
 
Robert_Burns said:
What a deep subject that is.

Now we know that this is the Chief Capital Sin. Pride. The very opposite of Humility. In my view - Pride is the enemy of Faith. In America we are taught to be self reliant - to go for the gusto - to never quit - to be a winner. But is that always the best course of action?

Even as it comes to Faith itself - do we often times think we know more than the Priest. Know better than the teachings of Holy Mother the Church.

How do we temper the American way of life and its values with humility?
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Well, I want to give you some advice, but, sadly, I am not possessed of Pride. I am the most humble man to ever live!

The best way to attain humility, on a serious note, is the Litany of Humility (IMHO). The hard part here though is that there is no way to judge your progress at fighting the sin of pride. You cannot honestly say “Wow, I am WAY more humble today than I was yesterday!” It is something that has to be a continual journey and one that must also be taught to your children to show them the errors of false pride.

St. Francis de Sales has some good points on this if you want to read up.

FSC
 
Robert_Burns said:
What a deep subject that is.

Now we know that this is the Chief Capital Sin. Pride. The very opposite of Humility. In my view - Pride is the enemy of Faith. In America we are taught to be self reliant - to go for the gusto - to never quit - to be a winner. But is that always the best course of action?

Even as it comes to Faith itself - do we often times think we know more than the Priest. Know better than the teachings of Holy Mother the Church.

How do we temper the American way of life and its values with humility?
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Faith is an invitation into mystery, into not knowing. Certainty is often viewed by the mystics as the very opposite of Faith. Beyond the Priest and Church we should be surrendered, from the most humble position and be ever open to the will of God. His will may be communicated through the church, nature or friends/family, etc. We cannot get stuck as individuals in the righteous position of church or nothing…to do so would be to remain blind to all that is beyond the box we call church and the ultimate position of Pride. With regards to the american way of life we must become dispassioned to all things material and sensual and humbly seek God’s will regardless of our cultural or political environment.
 
tskrobacz said:
Faith is an invitation into mystery, into not knowing. Certainty is often viewed by the mystics as the very opposite of Faith. Beyond the Priest and Church we should be surrendered, from the most humble position and be ever open to the will of God. His will may be communicated through the church, nature or friends/family, etc. We cannot get stuck as individuals in the righteous position of church or nothing…to do so would be to remain blind to all that is beyond the box we call church and the ultimate position of Pride. With regards to the american way of life we must become dispassioned to all things material and sensual and humbly seek God’s will regardless of our cultural or political environment.
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I like that your answer encompasses both the Physical and Spiritual aspects of Faith. Well said.
 
Robert_Burns said:
Now we know that this is the Chief Capital Sin. Pride. The very opposite of Humility. In my view - Pride is the enemy of Faith. In America we are taught to be self reliant - to go for the gusto - to never quit - to be a winner. But is that always the best course of action?
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Okay before I say anything else, can I ask you something? Are you deeming self-reliance, determination, and doing one’s best as just more forms of Pride or is it just me?
 
Lost_Wanderer said:
Okay before I say anything else, can I ask you something? Are you deeming self-reliance, determination, and doing one’s best as just more forms of Pride or is it just me?
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Are you saying that chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and humility are more important in the daily lives of American Catholics today in the modern World than self-reliance, determination, and doing one’s best ? I think thats the real question.
 
Robert_Burns said:
Are you saying that chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and humility are more important in the daily lives of American Catholics today in the modern World than self-reliance, determination, and doing one’s best ? I think thats the real question.
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You sound as if both groups of values are contrary to each other. How is that even logical? :ehh:
 
Lost_Wanderer said:
You sound as if both groups of values are contrary to each other. How is that even logical? :ehh:
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Because as Pope Leo the XIII Said in TESTEM BENEVOLENTIAE NOSTRAE That from the Outset American Catholics have " tried to compromise with the false principles as were enshrined in the American constitution." " Americanism it is not a condemnation of America as such but a condemnation of the false notions as introduced into the faith by means of the American prelates. It is more than ever important to remove the blind fold in this regard since many Catholics while claiming to be Catholics are not Catholic but “Americanists” who deny the influence of Christ and His Church in the social sphere. "

So my question lies in the emphasis.
 
I got a humble button award one time but they took it away because I wore it…😃

Seriously, I loved your post and wish more people had responded.
 
Annabelle_Marie said:
I got a humble button award one time but they took it away because I wore it…😃

Seriously, I loved your post and wish more people had responded.
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Thanks , I was trying to get commentary from others. I thought the question might elicit some interesting comments - but I failed 😦
 
From everything I have ever heard and have ever been taught about the Gospels, Jesus expects us to do our best. That means we need to use our minds, our talents, our efforts to do the best we can. Doing so doesn’t have to involve pride, we just have to do it for the right reason ~ the Glory of God.

When we do our best, no matter what it is, and we give up “credit” for any achievement to God, since the only source of our ability is God, then we do so without pride, but with humility.

This subject reminds me of the football players on the weekend who, after scoring a touchdown, point to the sky. In doing that, they’re communicating that they didn’t make the touchdown, God did. They’re recognizing that their talent and ability comes from God. They’re giving Glory to God. It may seem silly to some people, it means a lot to me.

God expects us to use our time, our knowledge, our talents to the best of our ability. As long as we recognize the source of all of that, there is no pride. And as long as we thank God for any achievement we attain, we remain humble, and open to God’s direction.
 
In all seriousness…I had a childhood that was not good…and I basically had to raise myself…which breeds a self reliance…which can form pride. I myself need to realize that it’s God who led me through it and it’s all from the grace of God that I can love or trust again.

I think too we need to step back from this notion that we will always have things fair in life or that we always need to be right.

Those are things that are easily said…harder to do.
 
Singing_Praise said:
From everything I have ever heard and have ever been taught about the Gospels, Jesus expects us to do our best. That means we need to use our minds, our talents, our efforts to do the best we can. Doing so doesn’t have to involve pride, we just have to do it for the right reason ~ the Glory of God.

When we do our best, no matter what it is, and we give up “credit” for any achievement to God, since the only source of our ability is God, then we do so without pride, but with humility.

This subject reminds me of the football players on the weekend who, after scoring a touchdown, point to the sky. In doing that, they’re communicating that they didn’t make the touchdown, God did. They’re recognizing that their talent and ability comes from God. They’re giving Glory to God. It may seem silly to some people, it means a lot to me.

God expects us to use our time, our knowledge, our talents to the best of our ability. As long as we recognize the source of all of that, there is no pride. And as long as we thank God for any achievement we attain, we remain humble, and open to God’s direction.
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Well said - so my question to what you wrote would be - Is that the Predominate action today. Are American values and materialism and excess leading us closer to that ideal as you described or further away.
 
Annabelle_Marie said:
In all seriousness…I had a childhood that was not good…and I basically had to raise myself…which breeds a self reliance…which can form pride. I myself need to realize that it’s God who led me through it and it’s all from the grace of God that I can love or trust again.

I think too we need to step back from this notion that we will always have things fair in life or that we always need to be right.

Those are things that are easily said…harder to do.
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Well it looks like you did a good job of raising yourself LOL
 
Robert_Burns said:
Because as Pope Leo the XIII Said in TESTEM BENEVOLENTIAE NOSTRAE That from the Outset American Catholics have " tried to compromise with the false principles as were enshrined in the American constitution." " Americanism it is not a condemnation of America as such but a condemnation of the false notions as introduced into the faith by means of the American prelates. It is more than ever important to remove the blind fold in this regard since many Catholics while claiming to be Catholics are not Catholic but “Americanists” who deny the influence of Christ and His Church in the social sphere. "

So my question lies in the emphasis.
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But it was this same Pope Leo XIII who issued Rerum Novarum, which sparked the doctrine of Catholic social teaching. And according the many other encyclicals it has inspired, it is in within man’s right to work for himself, to acquire property, and that it is through work we achieve fulfillment.

So again, how is it prideful to work hard for your keep and to work your best? The teachings of the Church in this regard seem to actually support that notion and say we have a right to it.
 
Robert_Burns said:
Well it looks like you did a good job of raising yourself LOL
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Thanks…but I think it was because in the first 6-7 years of my life…things were ok. My parents baptized me Catholic right away…I attended CCE classes…we went to Mass…and I had my first communion. So…even in my later years away from the church, I always knew God…and He is the one that has always had a hand on me. Why not my brothers I don’t know.🤷

But I am so thankful to be baptized Catholic and have access to the sacrements…even though I have not been confirmed yet (working on that). I think sometimes us Catholics don’t fully realize what a great gift we have:thumbsup:
 
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