Overall Takeaway

People who have superiority complexes are usually trying to make themselves feel better by belittling others. When we can understand what’s behind the attitude, it can help us be more compassionate and loving toward them.

Key Verses from Sunday Mass Readings

“Thus says the LORD:
‘You shall not molest or oppress an alien,

for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.’”

“Brothers and sisters:

You know what sort of people we were among you for your sake. 

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord,

receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the Holy Spirit,

so that you became a model for all the believers

in Macedonia and in Achaia.”

Where Catholicism Meets Psychology

When we interact with someone exhibiting a superiority complex, we tend to either take a helpless stance and become a victim or we create our own superiority complex to try to compensate.

In some cases, our psychological reaction is to just accept it because “that’s the way he/she is,” be angry about it, or even gravitate toward it.

Take a step back to think about what’s driving that behavior. Often, we brush it off as someone simply being mean or difficult.

The Pharisees exhibited a superiority complex because they felt threatened by Jesus’ work, healing and teaching. Sometimes Jesus punctures that attitude to teach them a lesson, but this week He gently shows them the correct path.

We need to learn who we are not by taking on a superiority persona, but through the eyes of someone who loves us. If we are well-grounded ourselves, we can see those who exhibit superiority more as God sees them, in their woundedness.

Action Item

Think of a situation when someone in your life exhibited superiority. Replay that scene and notice your reaction is or how you are triggered. You don’t need to excuse inappropriate behavior, but see if you can look past the exterior and see the person as a small child, see the insecurities. Can you soften your reaction?