The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XXII: On Vainglory

Self-esteem . . . how the meaning of that has changed over the generations. And when it becomes abstracted from our relationship with God, when our self-identity, purpose, and meaning becomes unmoored from He who created us, self-esteem can become the most grotesque of the vices. It will not only diminish our virtues, but destroy them completely. 

When the sweat and the toil of the spiritual life is turned back on the self or when ascetical practices become ends in themselves, they lose all value. Christ himself warns us about this in the Gospel. “If you fast in order that others see that you are fasting, then you have your reward.“ In other words, we have our payment in full. We see ourselves, and others see us as self-disciplined, but that is as far as the labor takes us. 
In this sense we become the most pitiable of all men, because we are acting as if there is no resurrection. If the things we do in this world, including religious things, are done for ourselves and to build up our own egos then they will eventually turn to dust. The love that has been revealed to us is self-emptying. 

In our day to hold fast to such an understanding can only seem absurd for in no way does it fit with the wisdom of the world. Only by keeping our eyes fixed upon God and fixed upon Jesus Christ and him crucified do we let go of the illusion not only of being the self-made man, but the self-made Christian. Religious people are not in capable of having their own delusions. In fact, the delusion of being religious can be the greatest among them and the most difficult to overcome. It is only when the cross is firmly rooted in the mind and the heart and when we have allowed ourselves to be humbled by it do we then become free; free, not for ourselves or to serve ourselves, but free to love others and God. 

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Text of chat during the group:

00:05:12 FrDavid Abernethy: page 165 beginning Step 22 on Vainglory

 

00:29:13 Anthony: Should we be looking at our works this way? I had thoughtbit was a heresy to believe that any thing we do, even every good thing, is infected with sin.

 

00:39:14 David Swiderski: Are the references to Fulton Sheen from Treasure in Clay?

 

00:39:44 Louise: Can we say that vain glory is present as soon as we identify with something, anything?

 

00:40:55 Louise: What inner attitude could counter vain glory? Maybe vulnerability, fortitude, and yet a complete dependency on God.

 

00:43:49 Fr Marty, ND, 480-292-3381: I suffer the vainglory of fantasizing about meeting with someone or doing something in the future that will bring someone

 

00:44:07 Fr Marty, ND, 480-292-3381: someone's conversion and blessing.

 

00:55:09 Anthony: That was a very uncomfortable movie.

 

00:59:44 Ashley Kaschl: Father, you posted something this week by Evely that has really stuck with me, “…whereas you were trying to use even your first move of confidence towards God in order not to entrust yourself truly to Him, but to try to make him enter into your plans, like a pawn, like a pawn on your chess board. It is only when you accepted to be a pawn in his hand and in his plan, that you liberated your hope and his action." 

 

I think this relates to paragraphs 6 and 11 because, in the same way, the believing idolater or the flatterer uses God, and manipulates every good, as a means to their own end, for their own glory. I’m reminded of St. John Paul II saying, to a friend who asked him why God would let him suffer an assassination attempt and being shot that, “there is nothing better than to be a tool in the hand of God.” I think the vainglorious seeks control and betrays God for human honor or a perception of strength, and would rather put on airs than be changed internally, than to be docile to the will of God.

 

01:05:17 Maureen Cunningham: What the difference between Praise and Flattery

 

01:14:32 Kate: When one looks back and sees how much one has done not for God but for self, it can be very painful realization.  Yet what is so amazing is that God in His Providence was still very much at work during those times even when we were not seeking first His Kingdom.

 

01:14:37 David Swiderski: There is a tradition in my family with my grandfather, father and I try. When someone thanks them they say - don't thank me, thank God I am able.

 

01:14:53 Ashley Kaschl: Reacted to "When one looks back …" with ❤️

 

01:15:10 sue and mark: Reacted to "When one looks back ..." with ❤️

 

01:15:14 Ashley Kaschl: Reacted to "There is a tradition…" with ❤️

 

01:15:32 sue and mark: Reacted to "There is a tradition..." with ❤️

 

01:16:17 David Swiderski: It seems to help to realize nothing is inherent in you but flows from God.

 

01:19:24 Maureen Cunningham: Blessing thank you

 

01:19:30 Cindy Moran: Thank you Father

 

01:19:31 sharonfisher: And with your spirit. Thanks!

 

01:19:32 David Swiderski: Thank you father!

 

01:19:34 Ambrose Little, OP: Gracias!

 

01:19:37 sue and mark: Thank you FR. Abernethy

 

01:19:39 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂

 

01:19:43 Lorraine Green: Thank you

 

01:19:45 Ambrose Little, OP: 🙂 Thanks!