Thorny pride

The Catholic Spirit reports that the second reading for this Sunday, Phil 2:1-11, contains a passage that many biblical scholars believe is an early Christian liturgical hymn. This hymn, which describes the humility and obedience of Jesus Christ, provides a glimpse into how the Church conducted liturgical worship during its first few decades.

The author suggests using this scripture as a penance for those confessing the sin of pride. The report notes that pride can manifest in subtle ways and may distance a person from God more profoundly than sins of the flesh. While the Gospels show Jesus interacting comfortably with tax collectors and prostitutes, the author observes that the proud and self-righteous often worked to oppose him.