Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Our readings offer a fable and a parable today, powerful literary devices designed to capture our attention and bring conviction to our lives. I’m moved to reflect upon the themes of humility and integrity. As the Gospel acclamation proclaims, The word of God is living and effective, able to discern the reflections and thoughts of the heart. Let’s allow God’s Word to read us and change us as we read the life-giving Word.
The parable in today’s Gospel is my personal favorite of all Jesus’ parables. It always moves me to an audible “oooof” and cuts me to the quick. How often are our lives governed by an unhealthy sense of what’s “fair.” From childhood, we look around at what others are receiving that we aren’t and cry out “that’s not fair!” Today, I’m asking the Lord to move me a little farther along in my ability to recognize God’s justice (after all, he said to those who were hired early in the day, “I will give you what is just”). Jesus, will you help me to share your generous spirit toward all humanity? I’m begging you, please, to help me to move away completely from viewing any human being as “other.” Today, perhaps each of us can consider in our hearts who it is in our lives or throughout our community or around the world that we view as “other,” as undeserving of God’s goodness and generosity. Let us move beyond divisiveness toward a greater unitive consciousness – one in which we share the mind of Christ and see each and every human being as he does. Let us both see our sisters and brothers through the very eyes of Christ and also recognize within each of them the Christ himself, deserving of the ultimate love, respect, goodness, abundance.
The fable in the first reading speaks of integrity. Each of the trees that were worthy of the kingdom by their intrinsic beauty and fruitfulness turned down the opportunity to reign. The vilest and most unacceptable, the buckthorn (or thornbush) seized the opportunity. Abimelech was one of the most despicable men to become king over Israel and is represented by the thornbush. This fable invites each of us to examine our consciences around our leadership. Each of us is a leader in some way – if not in a formal workplace, then in our families, within our circles of friends, perhaps in a ministry. Never underestimate your leadership, be it as a parent, grandparent, cousin, sister, friend. Am I a “good tree” that offers its fruit generously and humbly? Do the people around me recognize and affirm that my “walk matches my talk” in terms of the core values and faith that I profess? Do I use the authority I have, and my words, to build others up and not to belittle or tear them down (2 Cor. 10:8)? Leadership is just one aspect, one expression, of discipleship. As a leader, do I think, talk, and act like Jesus?
Living as a person of humility and integrity means dying to myself so that Christ can live and reign in me. When I maintain a selfish preoccupation, I become self-serving. Along with that comes jealousy, putting others down (whether in my thoughts or my actions) so that I can build myself up, sometimes compromising personal integrity in order to get my way. When I count myself among the last, and not the first, then I unclench my hands that want to grasp, and I live with utter abandonment to the One who wants to be my all in all. Our psalm response sings out, Lord, in your strength the kind is glad. Today, may we each be confident, surrendered, and glad in the strength that the Lord provides. Our own strength is pale and pitiful, why do we so often try to live and operate in our own strength when God constantly seeks to fill us?
My prayer comes from Philippians 2:3-4. God, by your grace, help me to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, help me to value others above myself. May I not look to my own interests but to the interests of the others. Amen and amen!
Elizabeth Wourms