It goes on everywhere. I have seen it at conferences. I have seen it at the beginning of the academic year: graduate students jockeying for position—smiles and handshakes, determining which professors are most important, the big name who will advance their career. I have seen it in donor relations: wealthy and powerful people are flattered and pampered by those who want their money or a favor from their position. People worth knowing are connections worth cultivating.
A friend got in the elevator with a student. He asked her ingratiatingly, “What do you teach?” She said, “I am the administrative assistant for . . . ” He turned his shoulder and did not speak to her for the rest of the ride up. She became invisible. She was not worth knowing.
This is not new. Jesus saw that same jockeying for position at the dinner of the prominent Pharisee. He was a lowly Galilean. Why had he been invited? Galileans were hillbillies from “up north,” outsiders, those whose friendship was not worth cultivating. Jesus had spent his life among those who were socially “low.” What did the Pharisee hope to gain from him?
We could spiritualize Jesus’ parable into the importance of considering oneself “low, humble, and unimportant.” But that could also lead to the crippling pride of false humility. “The one who humbles himself will be exalted” can also be used to manipulate, in seeking spiritual gain.
So how do we be true?
Jesus doesn’t tell his host to give way all he has and become financially poor. He tells him to use his position generously: serve the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, those who cannot repay you. Use your power and privilege for good.
In God’s eyes, all people are worth knowing—and not just for what you can get.
Consider/Discuss
We are perhaps all guilty of using others in some way. Parents may use their children to bolster their own prestige; employers may use their employees to make themselves look good; club leaders may use their power to sway members to their position; students may use teachers as sources of good grades, etc. It is everywhere. Think about where you have power or privilege or influence. How do you use it? How could you use that which God has given you to further the common good?
The reading from Sirach encourages the virtue of humility. The word humility comes from the same root as humus, the decayed surface layer of the soil. The junk of life—the sufferings, the struggles and the difficulties— works within us so that we see ourselves aright. We are needy and empty before God. All the good that we have is a gift. What did you once take for granted as your due, which you don’t take for granted anymore? How has suffering taught you to be more humble and compassionate?
Living and Praying with the Word
Lord, have mercy on us! We want to be good and humble and true. Yet it is so hard. It seems to run against our human nature. We are competitive. We jockey for position. We strive to be important. You know us. You know our hearts. You know our desires. We are such a mixture of motives. Even when we work to be good, there may be a shade of showmanship in that. Lord, help us! This day, just for today, help us to be truly good to others and true to you. Only you are good and holy and pure. Send us your Spirit so that we may imitate you more closely.