SUNDAY, October 25 21 Pentecost

Saint Augustine felt that all sins were forms of the one most basic sin: pride. He asked in City of God, "What is the origin of our evil will but pride?"

It's easy for me to recognize pride when, like Job, I become arrogant about my knowledge of God, when I have spoken of things "I did not understand." I find it more difficult, though, to spot pride when it is dressed as false humility or self-inflicted martyrdom. When I do not claim the gifts God has given me, act-ing falsely humble, or when I say that my sins cannot be forgiven, I exhibit a very subtle form of pride. In both cases, I put myself in the place of God.

I do not understand the ways and will of God; I can only do my best to live a good and moral life. Nor do I understand the mercy of God. I can only do my best to accept God's forgiveness instead of insisting that "even God cannot forgive this." Otherwise I attempt to capture things too wonderful for me to know.

PRAY for the Diocese of Torit (Sudan)

Ps 34: 1-8, (19-22) and Job 42:1-6, 10-17 –OR– Ps 126 and Jeremiah 31:7-9; Hebrews 7:23-28; Mark 10:46-52