Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Bishop Robert Barron (Founder of the Word on Fire Institute and auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles) differentiates between the terms “ego-drama” and “theo-drama”. Ego-drama refers to the corner of the universe that we create where the entire world revolves around us and our own ego dominates the story. By contrast, theo-drama, originally coined by Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar, refers to the idea that we are all part of God’s story and that our lives, our actions, our decisions, and our freedom are all understood in relation to others and to a higher power. Our Gospel today invites us to be part of the theo-drama:
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
During a recent presentation, Fr. Greg Boyle (also in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles) challenged listeners to expand our understanding of God. He said that we know that we are starting to create God in our image if God hates the same people we do. Now, the concept of God hating anyone seems ridiculous, but how often do we justify our own judgements, pride, and ego by thinking that we are right and that God would agree with us? This is where we need to deny ourselves, expand our understanding of God, and allow ourselves to be created in God’s image instead of the other way around. We are just one person in the whole theo-drama. Our lives are gifts and we have an important role to play. But we are not always in center stage. There is a Casting Crowns song called “Only Jesus” that our kids love to sing in the car. The lyrics of the chorus clearly refer to today’s Gospel:
“And I, I don't want to leave a legacy
I don't care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I, I've only got one life to live
I'll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus”
Allow the words “Only Jesus” to sink into your heart today. Think of small ways that you can deny yourself, that you can take up Jesus’ cross and follow Him.
Blessings,
LeeAnn Meyer