I have a new piece over at Aleteia about the Pharisees. I actually have a lot of respect for the Pharisees of Scripture. They were so close to the truth.

St. Paul is an example of the amazing potential in someone who is caught up in the devil’s trap of pride and merciless scrupulosity.

All faithful Catholics are in danger of falling into pharisaical behavior; I believe it is why we have the example of the Pharisees in Scripture. Jesus wanted a model of what not to do as people who are fervent about our practice of the faith.

So, are you curious yet?

Here are the 5 signs of a person who is falling into behaving like the Pharisees:

An excerpt:

There is rarely a comment on the Internet that is not basically, “Yes but…” We love to plow right through all the good things and narrow right in on the one part that didn’t seem quite right. We become Pharisees when we are always focused outward with an eye toward criticism. Nothing is ever good enough for a Pharisee. And nothing merits rejoicing, unless it is the downfall of others.

Read the rest here.