When they manipulated the stock market,On the Road from Samaria, Jesse
I remained silent;
I was making money and felt superior to the crowd.
When they silenced their critics,
I remained silent;
I was self-righteous and felt they got what they deserved.
When they came for the blue collar workers,
I did not speak out;
I enjoyed my superior social status and the cheap consumer goods.
When they came for my neighbor's possessions
I remained silent;
I was afraid and jealous and glad to see him brought down.
When they grew richer and more powerful
I accepted their lies in silence;
I wanted to gain their favor and be one of them.
When they came for me,
and sent me to a camp as a useless eater
I reaped what I had sown.
Spiritual pride leads to a lingering spiritual death. It turns the living being into a tomb, bright and polished on the outside, proudly ornamented with scrupulous attention to detail, and ostentatious adherence to the letter of the law — but inside full of corruption, and festering foulness. They love the rituals and the worldly forms of religion, but want nothing to do with mercy and love. It is a sickening romance with the self, unto death.
Jesse, Essere Umano, 20 August 2017