Are you dependent on God? Dr. Sri explains the negative impact of not accepting our dependence on God. He reveals four common ways that this leads us to spiritual pride.
Snippet from the Show
Each day, we must take time to breathe in the life of God through prayer.
Shownotes
Pilgrimage to Rome with Dr. Edward Sri
Dr. Sri recently announced that he will be taking a pilgrimage to Rome June 22-30 of this year. For more information, email rome.edwardsri@gmail.com.
Events with Dr. Sri
- Mar 15-16: St. Martha’s Church Parish Mission – Depew NY
- Mar 16: St. Mary’s Swormville, East Amherst NY
- Mar 23-25: St. Michael the Archangel Parish Lenten Mission, St. Michael MN
- Mar 28-29: St. Jude Parish Lenten Mission, Lakewood CO
- Mar 30-31: All Souls Catholic Church Parish Retreat, Sanford FL
- Apr 1-2: Fullness of Truth Catholic Evangelization Ministries – Corpus Christi TX
- Apr 9: Ignited by Truth Conference – Raleigh NC
Pocket Guide to the Stations of the Cross
- The Pocket Guide to the Stations of the Cross invites Catholics to discover the depths of Christ’s love shown to us by his passion and death. In this beautiful book, readers will find a guide to accompany them and help them meditate on Christ’s Passion.
The Three Wounds
In 1 John 2:16, there are three wounds that can be distinguished. These are wounds from sin that Christ came to heal. It says, “for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:16). You can also word them as follows: lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and pride of the world.
Pride
Pride is not limited to arrogance. In fact, the sin of pride is better understood when described as follows: Pride is not accepting my dependence on God. If we do not acknowledge our dependence on God, it can have a very negative affect on our spiritual life.
4 Ways We Can Fall into Pride
Stubbornness
Perhaps, you get a plan in your head and you don’t really consult God about it. We cannot just run after our own plans. We must have detachment and allow God’s plans to be primary. To know if you struggle with this type of pride, ask yourself, “Do I lose my peace at the thought of my plans not working out?”
Frustration with Sins/Weaknesses
It is good to dislike our sins and want to change and become holy. However, this desire must be rooted in love for God and not in a desire to rid ourselves of our own discomfort. To know if you struggle with this type of pride, ask yourself, “Am I more concerned with my image and how I perceive myself or whether my sins are adding to the weight of Christ’s cross?
Comparison
Perhaps, you struggle with noticing how well-behaved another family is or how attentive a married couple is to each other and you compare yourself to them. Or maybe, you compare yourself or your family as a way of finding security: “I’m not that bad.” It is not meant to be a competition. Rather, we should celebrate one another’s virtue. To know if you struggle with this type of pride, ask yourself, “Do I compare myself, my relationship, or my family with others?
Self-Reliance
This form of pride most commonly reveals itself in making time for daily prayer. If we do not take the time for daily prayer, we are in a sense telling God that we do not need him and we can do it without him. We need to make time for prayer. In marriage, we need to help give each other time to pray. When we say we do not have time for prayer, this is a type of spiritual pride. To know if you struggle with this type of prayer, ask yourself, “Do I depend on God? Do I see prayer as an essential part of my day or do I think I can make it through without it?”
Do you have questions about the Catholic Faith?
Send in your questions to info.edwardsri@gmail.com
Resources
- Visit Dr. Sri’s website at www.edwardsri.com and to book online events with Dr. Sri email events.edwardsri@gmail.com
- Find more of Dr. Sri’s episodes at www.ascensionpress.com/allthingscatholic
- Ascension is pleased to offer our new and improved online bible study programs and sacramental preparation programs digitally to help you minister with flexibility. Go to www.ascensionpress.com to view all our offerings
Dr. Edward Sri is a theologian, well-known Catholic speaker, and author of several best-selling books. His work with Ascension includes study programs such as A Biblical Walk Through the Mass, No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk Through Christ’s Passion and Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother. Several of Dr. Sri’s programs were filmed on-site in the Holy Land, and feature immersive video explorations of the sacred sites where Jesus, Mary, and the Apostles lived and died.
Dr. Sri is the host of the acclaimed Ascension podcast All Things Catholic with Dr. Edward Sri. Together with Curtis Martin, Dr. Sri is a founding leader of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), of which he serves as senior vice president of Apostolic Outreach.
Dr. Sri lives with his wife Beth and their children in Colorado.
