From time to time, my dad would remind me that “every person you meet is your better in that you can learn something from them.” Good and sage advice. I wonder if he knew he was echoing Ralph Waldo Emerson who wrote: “In my walks, every man I meet is my superior in some way, and in that I learn from him.” Then again, I wonder if Emerson was influenced by today’s first reading from the Letter to the Philippians from which we heard the notable and famous passage: Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and, found human in appearance, he humbled himself…” (Phil 2:6-8a)
I wish the reading had started a few verses before where St. Paul writes: “humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of others.” (Phil 2:3) and I think that starting from that posture, the opening words of today’s first reading become easier to understand.
Jesus wasn’t looking out for his own interests in becoming human. He was looking out for all of our interests when he humbled himself, becoming one of us. Kneeling before us in service, seen most vividly at the Last Supper as he washed the disciples’ feet and asked, “Do you know what I have done for you?”
Think about it. Better yet, answer the question aloud to yourself! This is the importance He placed on each one of us. He became one of us in order to invite each one of us to that great and final banquet of our Lord described in the Gospel.
Seems like those invited had other interests: a new field, new oxen, a new wife. All good things, but not the best. John Cardinal Newman remarked that if the good keeps you from the best, then the good becomes the enemy of the best.
Need an example? Make a list of all the good things that kept you from prayer. Your favorite team’s Monday night football ran long, overtime, thrilling game, but way past your bedtime… “It’s late, I’m tired… I’ll pray tomorrow.” A long day of shuttling children to school, club practice, late night laundry for tomorrow, shopping online for the weekend’s birthday celebration.. “I’ll pray tomorrow.” Fill in the blank with your own story.
What will we say to God? Sorry, I was busy…I was too tired…Monday night football was more important. Sounds kinda’ horrible when you say it outloud: “I had other interests.”
Today’ readings form an intersection where interests, human desire, and gratitude meet – and sometimes collide. An intersection when we need to ask who am I serving? To whom am I attending? Is this thing that occupies my interests serving God and His kingdom? I am guessing that Monday Night Football is not on the list but serving your family’s interest is on the list. Either way, prayer can be short, sweet and to the point. “Lord let your servant go in peace…”
Today’s readings give insight into what it means to walk humbly in this life: to not look out for our own interest and be attentive to the invitation God sends our way every day to join Him in his mission to serve others and their interests. I am sure there is more, but it’s enough for a start.
Image credit: Permission to use in not-for-profit settings. (c) 2019 The Rev. Dr. Lil Smith, DASD