Examination of conscience

Some Pharisees were converted and became friends and faithful disciples of the Lord. But many others did not know how to recognize the Messiah who walked through their streets and squares. Pride led them to lose sight of the true meaning of their existence: their religious life which they were so proud of was hallow and empty.

Our Lord warned the disciples don't become like the Pharisees and explained: all their deeds are done so as to be seen by men. He called them hypocrites. They were frauds and separated from God. Through their pride they became severe, inflexible and demanding of their fellow-men, while being complacent and indulgent towards themselves.

Self love makes us hypersensitive, inflexible, proud, impatient; it causes us to exaggerate our own importance and our rights, to be cold, indifferent, unjust in our judgements and in word. One delights in speaking about one's actions, of one's insights and experiences, difficulties, of sufferings, even when there is no need to do so.  In practices of piety, one takes pleasure in looking at others, observing and judging them: one is inclined to make comparisons with them and to believe oneself better; to see only defects in them and deny their good qualities; to attribute to them intentions and aims which are not noble, and even to wish them ill. Self love...leads us to feel offended when we are humiliated, insulted or passed over, or when we are not considered, esteemed or made a fuss of as we had hoped for.

While the publican says, and repeats often, My God, have mercy on me, for I am a sinner. This fosters in the soul a love for humility.               In Conversations with God, Vol 2, pps 152-155