Show Notes
There seems to be an epidemic - or even pandemic - of narcissism in the modern world. Countless videos, articles, and books. In fact, here's one with a title that first clued me in: https://www.amazon.com/Narcissism-Epidemic-Living-Age-Entitlement/dp/1416575995/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+epidemic+of+narcissism&qid=1576415095&sr=8-1
Pharisees = Narcissists & Hypocrites: Place heavy burdens on others and do not lift a finger to help. Keep all the secondary rules but neglect the primary ones of mercy and compassion. Have no empathy. Pretend to be someone they are not. Duplicity becomes an ingrained part of them. Seek to be well thought of, admired, empowered. Crave power over others. Crave the best seats, positions, etc. They boast, are prideful and feel entitled. They believe themselves to be superior to others. They seek to be "better" than others by putting others down (re: the Pharisee and the tax collector in the Temple) They don't share their heart (even with themselves!) They don't believe in God, no matter how "religious" they appear/claim to be. The Pharisees are concrete proof of this. They believe that they themselves are gods. That is why Our Lord was a threat to them. They believe poverty, humility, and obscurity are evils. Their goal is to become "God," by their own means. They don't care or believe that if we follow Our Lord's way we *will* be given a share in His Kingdom, and share in His Divinity. They want to rule, not to serve. They are not grateful. They believe they have become successful, superior by their own hands, work, skills, and talents. They don't believe these are gifts from God and that these talents should be used in aiding others and giving glory to God. They always have to win. They never apologize because they are never wrong because it's always someone else's fault. They have to crush anyone who threatens or questions them or their lifestyles. They have to get rid of anyone who opposes them, who is "on to them."
Hence the fate of the prophets, Saint John the Baptist, Our Lord Himself, and His Apostles.
Our Lord Jesus did not have patience or tolerance or kind words for the pharisees. Yet in our times, this "Age of entitlement," where, far from God, so many display unhealthy and sinful behaviors and attitudes, can these modern day "pharisees" be helped? "The greater the sinner, the greater the mercy." Jesus' message to Saint Faustina is one of tremendous hope. For "as sin abounds, grace abounds all the more."
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