Jesus, Son of
David, have pity on me.
Yesterday we noted how it is a
good antidote to pride to acknowledge the fact that we, as individuals, are in
need of pity. This is very similar to what happens in 12-step programs where
the first step is for an individual to admit a personal powerlessness
over a particular problem or addiction and that because of this, his or her
life has become unmanageable.
Note that many spiritual writers
have suggested that working through the 12 steps is a worthwhile spiritual
exercise for anyone, addict or not. In this sense, it would be good to apply
the first of the 12 steps to each of the deadly sins.
Today I offer some simple
notions about how we are all victims of pride (and in fact, might even want to
consider pride to be our personal addiction):
·
Pride makes us blind to our own imperfections
and limitations.
·
Pride causes us to dwell on ourselves and to
ignore other peoples’ needs.
·
My pride hurts others, to be sure, but it
also hurts me.
·
Sometimes I don’t contribute to the good of the
community, family, parish or cohort of workers because I think they’re beneath
me.
·
Because of my pride, I don’t seek to learn from
others.
·
Because of my pride, I don’t take advice, so I
fail to develop my gifts and talents.
·
My pride makes it impossible for me to be a “team
player.”
·
Pride changes leadership into tyranny.
·
Pride makes friendships impossible or
intolerable.
Jesus, Son of David,
have pity on me.
