The ‘best’ life can pave the way to hell

Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi. ‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’(Matthew 23, 1-12)

Every evening it is important to carry out an examination of conscience: to judge ourselves in the light of God’s Law, not according to what suits us or by what people say. Indeed, everyone can deceive and be deceived, except God. Do you ever fall into the sin of vainglory, by which you seek the admiration of others rather than God’s? And what about the capital vice of pride that makes you feel worthy before God, do you realise that this attitude is the best way to end up in hell?