"It was Pride that changed angels into devils"

"It was Pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as  angels."  - St. Augustine

Here we are in the month of June which is now called "Pride" month. The only people who are supposed to be so honored are proud LGBTQrsxyz rainbow flag draped (we hope draped) humans. St. Augustine would be aghast at some of the sights and sounds that we are being subjected to, but he probably would not be surprised. 

Webster lists the following as synonyms for pride:

ego, pridefulness, self-esteem, self-regard, self-respect

Notice how most of the synonyms are self-centered.

Thomas Aquinas wrote, 

"inordinate self-love is the cause of every sin (1,77) ... the root of pride is found to consist in man not being, in some way, subject to God and His rule." (From Deadly Sins)

 I once did a year of caregiver training in which we were led by The Rule of Benedict. One of the most important lessons Benedict taught me was the exercise of humility. When we humbly approach the altar rail and fall on our knees to receive the Eucharist, we express that we are subject to God and his rule. I was first humbled when I came to an understanding of, and acknowledgement of, God's supremacy, and his love for me, a love would die for me as Jesus my Lord and Savior. We humans do not like to be "lorded over", especially we Americans, but as Christians, we know that we must bow down before the cross, and when we do, we do it not as "Proud Christians", but as an act of humility and out of our love for God. 

Today's version of "Pride" with its celebrations, parades, and nonstop media coverage is the opposite of God-centered humility. The type of pride on display this month elevates mankind's fallen nature to a place of highest honor. Note to everyone: Our fallen nature (which is displayed in all of its forms daily on the network news broadcasts) is nothing to be proud about. 

So, this month the Devil should be proud of his work as he seems to be winning the spiritual battle, but in the long run it is Jesus who will win, and it is Jesus who will gather his humble followers to him in a celebration unequaled by anything this Earth can offer.