11th
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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