Episode 2765: The Queen of All Sins

The Queen of All Sins: Pride and Its Consequences
After finishing the 2nd session of Word Made Flesh I felt that it required a little more focus on pride and how it is truly can only be cured with a heaven doses or antibiotic of humility. Many of us hate taking that medicine but it is so very important for us to heal our spiritual self during this advent season. So let me start with a prayer before we take our proverbial medicine. By the way this is truly a physician heal thyself episode.
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Introductory Prayer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty and eternal God, we come before You in humility, recognizing Your greatness and our own smallness. Grant us the grace to imitate the humility of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and to reject the pride that separates us from You. May we be guided by the wisdom of the saints and the teachings of Your Church as we strive for holiness. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, seat of wisdom, we ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
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Welcome to today’s episode, where we delve into the spiritual dangers of pride, which St. Thomas Aquinas and Pope St. Gregory the Great called "the queen of all vices." From Sacred Scripture to the teachings of the Desert Fathers, the Church has long warned us about the devastating effects of pride on our souls and society. Today, we’ll explore what pride is, how it manifests, and, most importantly, how we can combat it with humility a virtue modeled perfectly by Christ.
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Segment 1: Pride: A Scriptural and Theological Examination
Scripture is clear about the destructive power of pride. In Proverbs 16:18, we read: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” In Matthew 23:12, our Lord declares: “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
St. Thomas Aquinas defines pride as an "inordinate desire for one’s own excellence." This sin makes us turn away from God, placing ourselves at the center, as if we were little gods. Pope St. Gregory the Great categorized pride as the root of all sin, noting that it generates other vices, such as presumption, ambition, vainglory, and hypocrisy.
The Desert Fathers warned against pride, describing it as the final and most dangerous assault in spiritual warfare. Abba Anthony the Great taught that pride blinds us to our weaknesses, making us vulnerable to the devil’s snares.
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Segment 2: Characteristics and Consequences of Pride
Pride manifests in various ways:
1. Self-Exaltation: Believing oneself superior to others and belittling them.
2. Turning Away from God: Relying solely on oneself rather than on God’s grace.
3. Refusal to Submit: Rejecting legitimate authority, whether divine or human.

Pride blinds us to reality, leading to an inflated sense of self and disdain for others. It contradicts human nature, which is designed for communion with God and others. Pride’s children sins such as presumption, disobedience, and sensuality further ensnare the soul, pulling it away from the path of virtue.
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Segment 3: Humility—The Antidote to Pride
The antidote to pride is humility, which St. Augustine defined as "the foundation of all virtues." True humility recognizes our dependence on God and acknowledges the reality of our human frailty.
Christ Himself is our supreme example. St. Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:8 that Jesus “humbled Himself, becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.” The saints followed in His footsteps. St. Francis of Assisi, for instance, saw himself as the "least of all sinners" and embraced a life of radical humility.

The Desert Fathers emphasized practical steps to cultivate humility:
• Regular prayer and fasting.
• Seeking forgiveness and offering it freely.
• Serving others selflessly, particularly the poor and marginalized.
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Segment 4: Modern Challenges—Pride in the Church and Society
In today’s culture, pride is celebrated rather than condemned. This cultural shift has seeped into the Church, manifesting in movements that seek to normalize sin. For example, recent events, like the Vatican's planned pilgrimage for groups promoting disordered lifestyles, highlight the danger of prioritizing inclusivity over fidelity to Church teaching.
Contrast this with organizations like Courage International, which support individuals in living chastely according to the Church’s teachings. These groups demonstrate the humility required to conform one’s life to God’s will rather than bending divine law to human desires.
Pride masquerades as compassion in these initiatives, but true charity always aligns with truth. Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said, “Truth is truth, even if no one believes it. Error is error, even if everyone believes it.”
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Segment 5: Call to Action: Living Humility
To combat pride, we must:
1. Pray daily for humility. Ask God to reveal areas of pride in your life and to give you the grace to overcome them.
2. Receive the Sacraments regularly. Confession and the Eucharist provide the grace necessary to battle pride.
3. Embrace your vocation. Whether in marriage, religious life, or singlehood, live your state in life with humility and fidelity.
Let us not be discouraged by the prideful spirit of the age. Instead, let us strive to be faithful witnesses, following the example of Christ and the saints.
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Concluding Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Church and the wisdom of the saints. Grant us the grace to recognize and root out the pride in our hearts. Help us to embrace humility, following the example of Your Son, who humbled Himself for our salvation. Strengthen us with the Sacraments and guide us with the teachings of Your Church. May we persevere in holiness and bring glory to Your name. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Thank you for joining us today. Let us walk humbly with our God and strive to live as faithful Catholics in a world that desperately needs truth and grace. Until next time, may God bless you and keep you.