708 (“GOOD PRIDE”) “Good pride”? But is there also “good pride”?
Yes there is. Please follow me carefully: Let us assume that you are falling into a passion, a weakness, a very bad habit.
You said many times that you will not repeat it, but you fall again into this cursed habit!
Oh, that habit!!! It becomes second nature to you!!! If, now, in your struggle, for example yesterday, you managed not to fall, not to succumb.
Then, yes, you can with a child’s pride, say to God: “Look at me, my God!!! Since yesterday I have not fallen!!!”
“Until the day before yesterday, when I was beaten by the passion, I lived in hell!!!
Yesterday, but especially today, I live in paradise!!!”
“Look at me, my God!!! I am doing well now!!!” This encounter may look to you as childish…. Strictly speaking, yes, it is! Childish pride!!!
And yet! The good God accepts this…“good pride”!!! This childish simplicity: (“Jesus said: Assuredly I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”) (Matthew 18:3-4). The reason that the good God accepts this “good pride”, is because it gives us the impetus to continue this good development… to wish to continue to live this new and unknown, so far, paradise!!! To wish to live it tomorrow … and the day after … and for ever and ever… So with this clever trick –and with God’s grace- the bad habit stops! The passion goes away… And we become free to enjoy God’s bounties… I hope you understand me…