Humility and Reputation (2016-06-12), 11th Sunday

11^th Sunday, Year C,  12 June 2016

TITLE: “Can I have it both ways?”

● 2 Samuel  12:7-10, 13 ● Psalm 32 ● Galatians  2:16,19-21 ● Luke  7:36-8:3 ●

[__01__]        Can I have it both ways?

I ask this question based on an essay by St. Francis de Sales in his spiritual classic, An Introduction to the Devout Life.

St. Francis de Sales writes about the connection between HUMILITY and a GOOD REPUTATION.[1]

Yes, we can have it both ways. We can be HUMBLE and also have a GOOD REPUTATION, in the Christian sense.

Sometimes, we think that either we are humble or we have a reputation. We can have both.

Yes, we can have it both ways.[2]

[__02__]         I ask and reflect on this question because of the episode and encounter in the Gospel this Sunday. We have read about the gathering, the dinner party, the guests at the home of Simon the Pharisee.

The guests are at table, dining, celebrating. Simon is the host. He has a reputation, an identity. He is trying to protect his reputation.

What St. Francis de Sales is teaching is not that we protect our reputation but that our reputation protects us.  If we allow our reputation our identity as Christians to protect us, then we can be charitable, honest, virtuous.

Your reputation – my reputation – as a Christian does not need protection.  This reputation protects you and me.

So, yes, a person can be humble and also have a good reputation.

Simon would disagree, having seen the uninvited person arrive.

[__03__]       At this dinner, we read that a person, a woman, arrived with an alabaster flask of ointment to bless the feet of our Savior.

By the way, the anointing is an inspired action on her part. In the Jewish tradition – and in Catholic/Christian tradition -  a dying person would be anointed, would be blessed.

In the Gospel of Easter Sunday, we read that the disciples to go to the tomb with spices, for an anointing. However, they are unable to anoint him. He has already risen from the dead.

[__04__]     By accepting this anointing, we see that Jesus is not only being purified and prepared for life but also for death and for eternal life.

In the creed, our profession of faith, we state our belief in the resurrection of the body and in eternal life.

[__05__]         Can we have it both ways?  Can we be humble and have a good reputation?

In the Gospel, if we were to compare the superficial appearance of Simon the Pharisee and the uninvited person – the woman – at this party, we would say No.

On the one hand, Simon the Pharisee has the reputation, the prestige but he lacks humility.

On the other hand, the woman is humble in the sight of Jesus and others.  We might say she is both humble and humiliated. She has humility, but no prestige, no reputation.

[__06__]         We can have it both ways.

Do we not believe that our personal relationship to our Savior gives us a reputation?

This woman does not care about her reputation or her past history anymore.

She only desires to be close to our Savior and she will do whatever it takes to do so.

This is her new reputation, her new identity.  She does not have to protect her reputation or guard her identity against theft. Her new relationship – and reputation – will protect her.

[__07__]          If I were humble, how would I live my life?

If  you were humble, how would you live your life.

St. Francis de Sales reminds us of a fundamental point about humility.

That is, in humility, I am reminded that the … “the last shall be first.”

I am reminded to take my cross each day.

I am reminded not aim at praise or glory, not to make decisions or choose actions because they will bring me popularity. Yes, we know that this is contrary to humility.

[__08__]    St. Francis de Sales compares our “reputation”      to the leaves and branches of a tree.

Yes, we can have it both ways.

That is, the leaves and the branches exist not only for shade or for beauty.  Yes, a tree is beautiful by virtue of its leaves and branches.

We may spend considerable time and money protecting the leaves and branches of the tree because the tree makes our home appear more beautiful, more valuable.

However, the tree is not only leaves and branches.  Jesus himself evaluates the fig tree and others in the Gospel not only based on their branches and leaves but on their fruit.

The leaves and branches, then, exist to protect the fruit.

Our reputation – our identity – as protects us, guards us as it guarded the uninvited guest at Simon’s exclusive party.

When we live out our Christian calling we are doing so not for our own praise and glory but for the praise and glory of God, so that Jesus – who is sometimes last – may be first.  [_fin_]       

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[1] St. Francis de Sales, “Part III. Ch. VII, How to combine due care for a good reputation with humility.” Introduction to the Devout Life. pp. 105-107

[2]  SPANISH:  ¿  no puedes estar en misa y repicando. ?