Sunday, April 09, 2006

I shouldn't feel proud. It is not me speaking to the congregation, it's only supposed to be God's word speaking through me. And if I can deliver that word loudly, clearly, and with excellent enunciation and force, all the better for the Word of God. I, the lector, am unimportant; it's the Word that should be the focus of my readings.

...but when strangers come up to me after the reading of the Passion on Palm Sunday and tell me how wonderful my voice is and how well I read, I can't help but feel the pride I shouldn't.


Anonymous
07:22:56 PM

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

yeah, whatever.

Anonymous said...

Exactly. Whatever. Pride is the most positive and enjoyable "sins" we've got. If no one had any pride in their accomplishments why the hell would we bother accomplishing them? An actor may go up on stage because "the theatre is calling him", a scientist may technically invent a cure becasue it "had to be done" but the pride that they would inveitably feel for the final product is both positive reinforcment and motivational force to add to the experience. While you're taking the pride out of accomplishment you might as well try to take the dignity out of individuality and the pleasure out of sex...oh wait.

thewordofrashi said...

Why should you be embarrassed that maybe God's word just travels better through you than through other people? There's nothing to be ashamed of.

Anonymous said...

i don't understand the big deal on this one.

pride is bad? oops.

Anonymous said...

there's certainly a difference between pride in your ability and arrogance in throwing it at people.

It seems you're the former, so I think it's a good thing.

Anonymous said...

I understand how you feel. But behind their...harsh words *glares at other posters* they are right. You did something good, and that should make you feel good. There is no shame in that. In a way, it is not even pride. It is a sense of acomplishment (and there is a difference). God would not make a world where there was no joy in acomplishment.

Just don't let it go to your head. Pride does have a tendency to make one...fall. On their face. In a crowded room. Because one who wants attention, will find it, and not always positivly.

Anonymous said...

^I love how Christians pretend everything is connected like that, ss if God were petty enough to make you fall on your face because you felt pride for something wonderful you've done.

Anonymous said...

1. A sense of one's own proper dignity or value; self-respect.
2. Pleasure or satisfaction taken in an achievement, possession, or association: parental pride.
3. Arrogant or disdainful conduct or treatment; haughtiness.
4.
1. A cause or source of pleasure or satisfaction; the best of a group or class: These soldiers were their country's pride.
2. The most successful or thriving condition; prime: the pride of youth.
5. An excessively high opinion of oneself; conceit.
6. Mettle or spirit in horses.
7. A company of lions. See synonyms at flock1.
8. A flamboyant or impressive group: a pride of acrobats.

Anonymous said...

If I asked a girl if she were proud of herself after she had done something spectacular and she responded "no" I'm sure Jesus would find her more attractive but I most certainly wouldn't.