Some thoughts on tomorrow's readings.

Tomorrow in Byzantium (though I'll be at Roman Church tomorrow due to the fact that I have no car) we will celebrate the Sunday after the Nativity...the readings during DL are Gal 1, 11-19, and Matt 2,  13-23

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit Amen.

Pride is the sin where exalt ourselves above God. It's the I can do anything without God attitude...It also takes the form when we think we know better than God.

In the 11th and 12th verses we read "Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ."

Has it not been in the recent news about the Synod about those that are seeking to change the teachings of Christ Jesus for their own agendas. This is pride plain and simple to contradict the dogmas of Christ as given to us through the Holy Catholic Church.

Last time I checked we are not smarter than God, for it is God who gave us the faculties of reason to begin with. It's an exercise in futility to try and outsmart God. He knows what we need to be joyful in Him, why do we attempt to make things so complicated?

When one cooperates with the graces given to them, one is able to do great things. S Paul goes from a persecutor of the Church to one of her greatest defenders. As he's briefly telling of us of what he used to do to the Church, recall from a few days ago the Martyrdom of St Stephen...killed by Saul.

In today's Gospel, we hear of the plight to Egypt, the Holy Innocents, and the return to Egypt.

Perhaps there's a use of a sarcastic element when we read "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage."...Herod had zero intentions of paying homage to Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as we'l find ou later in the massacre of the Holy Innocents (Today who's feast day in the Roman Church would be celebrated today) In the Byzantine tradition the number killed was 14 000. There's no exact number, for it wasn't revealed. 

Such a tragedy that we as a society commit another form of pride through abortion. The deliberate killing of a child. It is such a poverty that children must die so that we may live as we so choose. 

The virtue that kills pride is humility. It is first the recognition that our gifts, whatever ones we do have come from God, and not ourselves. Our children, our intelligence, our various talents are no of our own doing. We must recognize this. It is then the attitude of receiving or accepting what is given. . It is hard to accept compliments, or situations that oppose our own nature...yet we must do so. It is not humility to impose ourselves on situations where that is not called for.

Let us pray for the gift of humility, and more importantly practice humility to conquer our pride.

Christ is Born, Glorify Him

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.