During the month of June I have traditionally and repeatedly asked the Pride celebrants, “What are you proud about?” I have received many angry responses but so far, not a single answer. I’ve been told that asking about the specific reasons for this national celebration is bigoted, hateful and un-Christian. So I’m not going to ask the question this year. I’ll answer it instead.

The Pride People are celebrating the belief that they do not need God’s forgiveness. During this month, these folks proudly proclaim their sufficiency. They are without flaw or blemish. They have committed no sin. They believe themselves to be fully deserving of God’s grace, which is something that even Jesus’ most devout followers never achieved.

The apostle Paul boasted in Jesus because he lacked pride in himself. “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14) There is no way Paul would have considered any of his fleshly urges worth mentioning, let alone celebrating.

Pride is self-righteousness. June is a month long tribute to narcissistic conceit. Remember that when someone tries to shame you for not participating.