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TODAY’S WORD…

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‘I thank you, God, that I am not greedy, dishonest, or an adulterer,

like everybody else…’

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– Luke 18:11 (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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This is the “prayer” of a self-righteous person.

This is the “prayer” of one who has no humility and no love;

of one who is the centre of his or her own thoughts and self-appraisal.

‘I thank you, God, that I am not greedy, dishonest, or an adulterer,

like everybody else…’

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In a parable addressed by Jesus

to those who are confident of their own righteousness,

we see a man who looks down on everyone else

and who, instead of praising God,

praises himself.

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This man attributes merit to himself

and he has contempt for others.

Both humility and charity are lacking,

pushed well aside by a great deal of self-satisfaction

He compares himself with others

and considers himself to be altogether superior.

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Pride does this to us.

It is the greatest obstacle man can put in the way of divine grace.

It is the most dangerous capital vice,

because it penetrates by subtle manipulation even into good works,

detracting from their value

and depriving them from their supernatural merit.

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Pride is deeply rooted in man – in his disordered self-love –

and there is nothing more difficult

than to uproot it

or even to recognise it for what it is.

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How sad it would be

if you and I were to live or end up like this.

Let us make a serious examination of conscience…

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Have mercy on me, O God.

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… … … … … … … … … … … …… …

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Note: The main source of today’s REFLECTION is the seven-volume work

“In Conversation with God” by Padre Francisco Fernández Carvajal.