Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Our readings today point to humanity’s misguided grasp for power and control; our incessant desire to be the center of attention, to “make a name for ourselves” (Gn 11:4). We want the world to revolve around us. We enter into what Bishop Robert Barron often refers to as the ego-drama. Ego-drama refers to the corner of the universe that we create where we dominate the story. We get stuck in the boring and narrow pages of our own tale; we are the director and the star character in the story that we want to write to serve our own wants and desires. Contrast that with the theo-drama, originally presented by Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar; it refers to our role in God’s great story. Our lives, our actions, our decisions, and our freedom are all understood in relation to others and to God.
In our first reading, the tower of Babel portrays the battle between human ego and God. The tower itself did not pose a problem. The real issue is the thought that a tower could be built to reach heaven on their own and circumvent the need for God. They believed that they could ascend to heaven by their own strength. Wrong! There’s a simple summary to the story. We want to satisfy our egos and “make a name for ourselves”. In the gospel, Jesus implores us to give up the ego-drama and participate in 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” (Mk 8:34-35). How often do I make every day situations about me? Jesus invites us to live differently.
The ego keeps us from seeing the great love God has for us and the gift of giving ourselves over to others in love. The ego blinds us and brings out all of our fear, pride, envy, and selfishness. It is the part of us that convinces us to hold tight to what we want no matter what, even if it causes harm to others. Our egos keep us from loving the people around us.
“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life?” (Mk 8:36-37). Our Christian faith tells us the foundation for who we are is the belief that we were created in the image and likeness of God. How good is our God that we would be loved so deeply to be a reflection of our creator? We cannot “earn” our salvation; it is a gift freely given. Jesus has invited us to live in radical trust, to say goodbye to the ego-drama and take up a part in the theo-drama. May we place God at the very center of our lives so that we can live in His love and radiate that love.
Peace,
Brandon Meyer