Reflection for the 20th Week after Pentecost, 2022
Scriptures: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14
Key Verse: “For all exalting themselves will be humbled, but all humbling themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14b)
There is a saying that I used quite often, especially in college with close friends, “Don’t induce others to commit crimes!” We said it to tease each other while someone was showing off their valuable possessions including money. After someone made this comment, the rest would unanimously echo, “Yeah! Just keep it to yourself! Don’t tempt innocent people!” We may have sounded like we were joking around but there was an important lesson in it.
About 10 years ago, I got to know an Imam through the Mission & Spiritual Care Committee of Advocate Health Care Hospitals that we both belonged to. Having taken two classes about Islam and having a couple of Muslim classmates made me even more curious about their culture. The Imam was very approachable with a great sense of humor. When I asked him if I could take some of my intercultural studies classmates to visit the mosque where he was serving, he joyfully agreed. He graciously gave us a tour and explained some of their core beliefs including a couple of important traditions that they follow. He also explained why it was important to have women praying behind men. He commented humorously, “It is hard to concentrate on talking to God while looking at the backs of women! That is why women must be at the back and dress modestly.” Then I shared with him my story about not inducing others to commit crimes! Then he said, “Exactly!” We all laughed.
Why did Jesus denounce and reject self-exaltation? Will such a behavior or attitude of self-exaltation induce others to sin and break any of the commandments? Some might naively think that self-exaltation isn’t a big deal, but such a behavior or attitude endorse a culture of raising more self-centered narcissists, which certainly is against Jesus’ teaching of loving others as loving ourselves. I don’t think that showing off or competing are expressions of loving others.
It is true that most people need affirmation while achieving something great, especially those who are struggling with low self-confidence. However, if any self-affirmation is to shame others or ask credit from others and God like the Pharisee does in Luke 18:11, it is self-exaltation that Jesus is against. Are there any warning signs? Yes, there are. It is the moment when we think, “At least I am not like them.” We all have different life experiences that make each of us unique, but our uniqueness is not the reason God loves and redeems us. What God loves and redeems is our humility that we have in common. What can be a better exaltation that is from God when we choose to be humble as Jesus said in Luke 18:14?
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