Pride, ahhhhh. The dangerous pitfall we need to avoid if we are to experience the vast love God has for us. Yet, how many times do we find thoughts of “I’m better than the other” welling up from within. One moment you are perfectly happy, living your life, and then BAM – out of the blue a thought wells up from within that ruins your mojo and you see yourself as superior to another human being.
Ugly Pride
Perhaps you find yourself believing you are younger, richer, smarter, wiser or holier than another – and therefore more worthy of love. (Pride, when brought into the light, always reveals our underlying need to be loved.) Or maybe you see yourself as poorer, less advantaged, or more humble than another and you believe this makes you more blessed, and therefore more lovable, in the eyes of God. Then there’s the spirit of Vainglory, where pride convinces us that we are more enlightened, more spiritual, and a better servant to God than another. Pride comes in more flavors than Baskin Robbins does ice cream! And pride always creates separation and dualism.
Jesus modeled something completely opposite of pride when he healed those who sought his aid. He modeled humility. Dare I say he became humility. Jesus, a faithful Jew, didn’t limit healing to his own people. The New Testament is full of stories of Jesus healing non-Jews. The demoniac who lived among the tombs, the Centurion’s paralyzed servant, the Royal Official’s son, and the Syrophoenician’s daughter are examples of Jesus healing outside his “tribe”. Jesus crossed tribal lines time and time again. To Jesus there is no line, no division, no tribes. His love and healing is open to all who have faith.
God is Bigger
How did Jesus heal the people? Well, of course Jesus was fully human and fully God. Given this he carried divine healing powers within. It’s impossible for us to grasp what this really means. As always, God is bigger than our human minds can imagine. I believe Jesus healed people during his earthly ministry because he knew his place in the whole cosmic universe. He knew he was (is) the Second Person of the Trinity, the Word Incarnate – the One who came into the world and the One whom all life flows through.
Jesus saw humanity through his divine lens of truth and through this lens he understood the hearts of those who sought him. Nothing had the power to move him from the truth of who he was (and will be forever more). Unlike Solomon who was led astray when he followed the god’s of his pagan wives, Jesus stood firm in divine truth.
When Jesus healed the people he revealed the truth of his nature to those who could see and hear the truth. And what is so unbelievably amazing is that the same healing power Jesus carried within is also living in us! Jesus Christ dwells within the human heart and we are eternally, and completely, immersed in Him. We are one with Christ. This oneing with Christ extends to the whole Trinity. We are in the Holy Trinity and the Holy Trinity is in us. (see John 17:22-23) We are called to participate in the healing love of Jesus.
Model Christ’s Humility
Before we can really participate in God’s healing love we must model Christ. This is accomplished when we strengthen our relationship with him. You know, spend quality time with Jesus Christ. Then we begin to know who we really are in the eyes of God – beloved adopted sons and daughters.
Can we stand before others who are not Christian, especially our family members who have fallen away from the Church, and love them without judgement like Jesus calls us to do? Can we extend love to others of another tribe like Jesus did? Can we see Christ in one another and love Him in the other? Because when we do, when we see and love Christ in every human being, pride losses its foothold. Humility then reigns in our heart and our heart expands in love. Honoring Christ dwelling in our fellow brothers and sisters, for me anyway, is the surest pathway into humility and away from ugly pride. I think Advent sets the perfect stage to honor, and love, Christ dwelling in everyone we meet.
Global Light for Christ (GLFC)
If you are struggling with pride (or anything else) I invite you to share your petition below. Our community, GLFC, is a group of sojourners supporting one another through prayer and love.
I want to thank all of you who post here. I honor the humility you express when you share your stories. The love we share for each other is special indeed. When I sit with your petitions, often in the Adoration Chapel at my parish, my heart is deeply touched when I feel both your pain and your love. Even though we are separated by space and time we are together in the living waters of the Holy Trinity.
My Book – Understanding The Jesus Code
The Revised Version!
I have been working hard on the revised version of my book, Understanding The Jesus Code. In it I have added important information on how our personality type effects our spiritual journey into wholeness. The paperback and Kindle version are now available on Amazon and the audio version will be available soon!
I am working with a book publicist and they suggested offering the Kindle version for FREE over a period of 2 days – to get the word out. As soon as I know the dates I will let our readers know in advance so you can get a FREE Kindle version!
God bless all of you. See you next week Friday – Carolyn
If you would like to learn more about my work and my ministry I invite you to visit my website: CarolynBerghuis.com
Saint Ambrose – pray for us.
God the Father – hold us in your Fatherly love.
Sacred Heart of Jesus – heal us with your divine love.
God the Holy Spirit – immerse us in divine love.
Today’s Readings Isaiah 29:17-24; Psalm 27:1,4,13-14; Gospel Matthew 9: 27-31
