Here is some of the converastion from last night:
Guest 137: This is going to be a really broad question, but do you have any recommendations on how to decrease pride? I feel like pride isn’t letting me see God’s will clearly
Alicia-Ann: i’m sure Sister has some advice for you
Sep 4 2011, 8:27 PM
Sister Susan Marie: St Francis de Sales of course always spoke of humility, which is truthfulness in all its aspects as a counterpoint to pride.
Sep 4 2011, 8:27 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Pride is hard to eliminate
Sep 4 2011, 8:28 PM
Sister Susan Marie: So his suggestion is to allow every disturbing experience to be a source of growing in humility
Sep 4 2011, 8:28 PM
Alicia-Ann: it is eliminated automatically when you add selflessness into your everyday
Sep 4 2011, 8:28 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Specifically, when you want to justify yourself for something, DON”T. That’s a way to begin
Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them – every day begin the task anew.”
— St. Francis de Sales
Sep 4 2011, 8:30 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Sometimes it’s not the seeing of God’s will but fearing its consequences that gets in the way
Sep 4 2011, 8:30 PM
Alicia-Ann: that is so wise Sr!
Sep 4 2011, 8:30 PM
Alicia-Ann: I never thought of it that way
Sep 4 2011, 8:31 PM
Sister Susan Marie: As Alicia said, practice selflessness
Sep 4 2011, 8:31 PM
Sister Susan Marie: St Augustine struggled with that aspect
Sep 4 2011, 8:32 PM
Guest137 (guest): Oh my…that’s a lot to think about!! haha I really like the “if you want to justify yourself, don’t” part…so practical, yet so hard!
Sep 4 2011, 8:32 PM
Alicia-Ann: i think it was st augustine that compared refining one’s soul to the process of refining gold
Sep 4 2011, 8:33 PM
Alicia-Ann: mea culpa, not easy but necessary for the soul
Sep 4 2011, 8:33 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Yes. And in practicing these things, you have to ask for the grace to do it
Sep 4 2011, 8:33 PM
Sister Susan Marie: You cannot do it. That also helps you grow away from pride, asking for help God’s help
Sep 4 2011, 8:33 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Anybody’s help
Sep 4 2011, 8:33 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Maybe somebody else, a spiritual director for ex, can help you see God’s will more clearly. By asking their help as well, pride diminishes
Guest: Ok, just throwing it out there – how about pride when I’m looking at different religious communities (I am currently discerning a vocation to religious life), and comparing them as I discern?
Sep 4 2011, 8:37 PM
Sister Susan Marie: Good- when you are looking- are you asking God to,lead you to the community He wants you in- even as you also engage in discernment- or are you being critical regarding aspects of these communities?