Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Growth or Arrogance?

You wish to talk about your growth in sanctification?  You wish to talk about how you are progressing and doing better and better?

I see your focus upon yourself, and instead, I raise you the 6th Petition.

The Sixth Petition.
And lead us not into temptation.
What does this mean?--Answer.
God, indeed, tempts no one; but we pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not deceive us, nor seduce us into misbelief, despair, and other great shame and vice; and though we be assailed by them, that still we may finally overcome and gain the victory.

... nor seduce us into misbelief, despair, and other great shame and vice.

So.  You think you've done such good hard work to grow?  You think you've been such a diligent and good little Christian, and that because of your hard work you have advanced in all things virtuous?

I say to you in your arrogance this:  If you are kept from great shame and vice, this is not due to you.  It is the gift of God to you, a mercy he gives to you.

You have forgotten the phrase "There but for the grace of God go I", and in your pride you have substituted, "See I how I have grown beyond these things."

Let us learn once again the Catechism's plain and Christ centered teaching!


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