“I prefer a humble sinner to a proud Pharisee, because with the former I can walk my ways. That is why I allow humiliations and, at times, withdraw my tangible grace” (Interior Word).
It is certainly difficult for our Father to guide a proud person who always believes he is right and is unwilling to allow himself to be instructed. What paths are left for our beloved Father? We in no way pretend to advise our Lord, the source of all wisdom: “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” (Rom 11:34).
This question should lead us to recognize the pride in our heart and bring it persistently before God. Pride often takes pleasure in projecting outward strength. It feigns invulnerability and believes itself superior. But in truth, pride disfigures the person, whose soul narrows and closes instead of widening. This is why it is important to perceive even the most subtle manifestations of pride and ask the Holy Spirit to help us see them because it is difficult to distinguish pride in our hearts since pride likes to hide and justify itself.
How different is the condition of the humble sinner, who acknowledges his weakness and his dependence on God! Such a person the Lord can guide. This is why He allows humiliations and, at times, withdraws even the tangible graces, including emotional consolation. Then, man cries out to God, and the Father can draw him to Himself with His love. Once lifted up again, the soul will be very grateful to the Lord and assure Him that it never wants to depart from Him. Thus, our Father can make the heart docile so that it does not close in on itself, but becomes a vessel of His grace.