For today's article, since we are still in the Lenten season, in fact next week we will celebrate the Holy Week, it's our time to reflect, meditate and even contemplate ourselves how's our relationship with God. If you have noticed, almost of my articles are more about reflecting ourselves as I did. Thus, a sensitive article. This is for all including me.

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If you are too much interested in yourself and you are not caring about other's needs, feelings and emotions then you're self-centered. Don't blame me. Blame Merriam Webster. ✌️

This article talks about one letter and no other than "l". Yes I not U. I is written in capital letter whether it is found on the first, middle or last of the sentence. But many people wrote this letter incorrectly. But don't you know that this letter is somewhat present in some negative words like sin and pride? In fact, it is found at the center of the two words and make them also similar. What is the impact of this to our lives? Does it have negative meaning? What is the connection of these two words, sin and pride?

Because of pride, people committed sin. Likewise, because of sin, people don't know to lower down their pride. According to Saint Augustine of Hippo, it was PRIDE that changed angels into devils; it is HUMILITY that makes men as angels. This is very true when the brother of Saint Michael the Archangel wanted to become equal to God or even more than with Him. He was became a rebellious angel because of pride.

Is pride a sin? It is not a sin but pride that makes us to commit sin. Yes pride is a sin. In fact, it is number one of the capital deadly sin. Because of pride, people don't know how to forgive. Many failed because of pride. They thought when they won in a harsh conversation they could feel real happiness within their hearts. No. They could have no longer peace in their minds and even in an actions. It starts with an anger and ends with revenge and hatred until it became a sick. When you have this kind of sick, you are near to death. This kind of sick can't be seen in any machines like microscope, x-ray, and many more. Our soul was stained by this mortal sin that would lead us into hell. Remember, God took angels away from heaven and fell on earth because of pride and became devils. They were never given a chance to be forgiven. That's why Satan and his companions were very angry with us human because God gave us many times His forgiveness because we are special creations of God. But let's not abuse His goodness and mercy.

Pride and sin are crime partner. We committed sins because of pride. It is I which is the center of it. Like in a certain group, there is really one who wants to be focused by some people. He wants to be the topic of all times. He wants everyone will listen to him or her.

Pride is everywhere. It is an instrument of Satan used to tempt us. It is his tool to drag us closer to God. Even in our workplace, some people applied "I" mentality. They questioned why they are the one promoted to such position for I am better than them.

Going back again to the topic, the middle letter of the two words, pride and sin is the letter "I" which encapsulates the message of individualism and partition. Because of pride, we tend to think that we are better and thus, no longer need others. We sometimes believe we don't need God either, because we can create our own results, our own destinies. On the other hand, our sins lead us to a life away from God. This is the world that "I" mentality has brought us to.

Writer's Note

It is through humility that we can overcome anger. A humble person will have no problem reconciling with another even it the fault is not his. In the cross of Jesus, we see a supreme example of love and overcoming rage. He could have cursed at everyone then but He did not. God humbled Himself for us. We must do the same.

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Thank you for reading!