Sometimes I think Jesus is messing with the minds of those he is preaching to. In next Sunday’s Gospel, he has a swipe at the Pharisees as he sees them jockeying for the best place at a meal…and then tells them to try for the lowest place. Now if they took him seriously, it would be the same problem but in a different part of the room. But imagine if ‘place’ wasn’t important at all except to maintain good order.
A few years ago, I attended a workshop with a world-renowned calligrapher. Most in the class were excellent calligraphers. A few, myself included, were not. The teacher's educative process was for each of us to do an exercise and then bring an example to the front for public critique. Scary stuff? Not with him, it wasn't. He found something good in everyone's work. (Indeed, I felt he learnt something from each piece.) And he found something to challenge in every piece of work - even the most stunning. Being better or worse than others simply did not come into his judgements. The principle he operated on was that we each wanted to become a better calligrapher - as he did himself. We were all there together to learn from our practice and from each other. His method of teaching exemplified the transformation that comes about when we embrace the humility that Jesus is offering us. We get off the treadmill of comparison, which is so destructive of our spirit, and enter into the dynamic dance of love and creativity. We accept ourselves...and we accept each other.
Loving Father, give me the wisdom to accept myself and others so that we might rejoice in the gifts and talents that you have given us. May our appreciation of each other build up love between us. I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me.
Sr Kym Harris osb
