Humiliation. Jesus and people like humility.

Have you noticed how little is said about pride? It is a pity that we forget that the essence of satisfaction lies in self-deception. St. Terezka would tell us to take a realistic look at ourselves and reality as soon as possible and remind ourselves of what we live because it speaks of our value in life. And Jesus invites us to this kind of thinking and reflection when he says: “Whoever is greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Mt 23:12).

These words of Jesus are not so much directed at the Pharisees as a group of people who are hostile and alien to Jesus, but he points to Pharisaism as a danger residing right in the Church, in us, from which we cannot protect ourselves by any external separation, but only by that we will test ourselves to see if we act like the Pharisees. Pride controls the inside of the Pharisee. And then, there is a division between learning and action. They teach the commandments as the commandments of God, but their actions are actions for the eyes of men only. In the Gospels, we most often see Jesus full of love and mercy. In the “Magnificat,” the Virgin Mary says: “He scattered those who think proudly in their hearts” (Lk 1:51). The opposite of pride is highlighted by the apostle James: ” Draw close to God and he will draw close to you…Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will exalt you” (James 4:8, 10). Humility in people before the Lord is the source of many blessings. Let’s not be mistaken! Because Pharisaism as such did not die out. It is not only in our surroundings, but is it not also in us? Humility lives actively. As he accepts the applause for his successes, he lets the laughter his failures cause ring in his ears. He is healthy and dissatisfied with himself, which helps him grow in his apostolic work. He does not forget that even average people can sin with excessive self-confidence. A humble person is aware that his sadness can be a cloak for his pride if he does not drive it away. He who is proud does not triumph over himself and does not mortify himself. Pride distances us from Jesus, and humility makes us close to Jesus. It is fitting that we want and can give up our opinion. It is difficult, but dear to God. A humble person does not look at what others are like but at himself and what he should be. The meek is not similar to the “whitewashed grave” because he cares about the relationship with God and the fact that as many souls as possible belong to God. He is not held up as a role model and example. He lives his faith not only in words but also in deeds. A humble person realizes that it is necessary to maintain an objective view. Pride, especially in volatile people, arouses aggression. Pride is the beginning of other sins.

It is fitting that we are aware that pride’s power, which awakens falsehood, is at the birth of untruth and destroys an objective view. Satisfaction consists in the fact that a person takes credit for himself and forgets that he received all good things from God. Pride opposes God. Lucifer and his ilk got everything from God, and we know they rebelled against God.