The Lord calls us to repent of pride, self-exaltation, and arrogance, and become "a people humble and lowly" (Zep 3:12). Pride can disqualify us from Christmas. Through humility, however, we can fit into the manger scene at Bethlehem with the lowly handmaid Mary, the poor Joseph, and the simple shepherds.
In our society, arrogance has almost reached new heights, if that were possible. Some people are so prideful they deny the truth of God's word, as if millions of people for thousands of years were too stupid to see that the Bible was just a book. Others deny the significance of the physical and traditional differences between men and women, as if the world has been in the dark for centuries until they and their friends arrived on the scene. "In laying claim to such knowledge, some men have missed the goal of faith" (1 Tm 6:21).
Moreover it's not uncommon for Catholics to contradict the teaching of the Church and the Pope. They're supposedly much more enlightened than past and current Church leaders. "These men pour abuse on things of which they are ignorant" (see 2 Pt 2:12). Some have even arbitrarily decided that the old concept of objective truth is now "out." They have finally discovered, and now proudly announce to the world, that truth is relative.
The arrogance of our times approaches insanity. We must repent of arrogance. This is necessary for life and for Christmas.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like Yours (see Mt 11:29). |
| PROMISE: | "I will change and purify the lips of the peoples." –Zep 3:9 |
| PRAISE: | Being arrogant thinking that the Church was old-fashioned on many social issues, Linda met Jesus, the living God, and was humbled into submission. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College