To Which Camp Do You Belong?

(The follow is a homily given in Enid OK on September 20, 2015)

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Wis 2:12, 17-20

Responsorial Psalm Ps 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8

Reading 2 Jas 3:16—4:3

Gospel Mk 9:30-37

I’ve come to realize that, in this world, there are two camps we can belong to: the haughty and the humble.

To the haughty, if they do not agree with the truth, than what is good is bad; what is black is white; what is up is down.  Goodness is “obnoxious” to them, because in their pride, they cannot see another having more insight, more wisdom than they (see first reading). Their pride blinds them from the truth, allowing them to make sinful activity justifiable, even appropriate.

The haughty are ruthless in their quest for self-aggrandizement.  They will do whatever it takes to fulfill their jealousy and selfish ambition (see second reading).

Conversely, to the humble, the last shall be first; the child is the most spiritually prepared; and the servant is the ruler of all (see Gospel). Their humility allows them to see beyond their own little worlds and into the depths of the human experience. The humble find real fulfillment in selflessness.  They will do whatever it take to be true to who they are, and to Whom they belong.

As Christians, we have been given the example of Christ of humility.  For, as St. Paul told the Philippians, “though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not deem equality with God,… but rather emptied himself, taking on the form of a slave.” (Phil. 2:6-7)

Christ shows us that humility is the key to enjoying the joys of the kingdom of Heaven.  This is true because the humble themselves tend to think that they are not worthy of such blessings, thereby making them the most worthy to receive them.  The humble live out the words we proclaim at every Mass: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof, but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.” (The Roman Missal)

Conversely, there is no room in the Kingdom of Heaven for the haughty.  This is true not because God would not make room, but because the haughty tend to think that a heaven that is not on their terms is no heaven at all.

As Satan so eloquently put it in John Milton’s epic poem, Paradise Lost: ”It is better to rule in hell, than to serve in heaven.” 

My brothers and sisters, it is vital that we take a good look at our inner life. We must be aware of the fact that we can only attain the Promised Land of heaven by first realizing our need for mercy.  And we can only truly receive this mercy if we are willing to live a life of mercy toward others ourselves. 

And so I leave you with a couple of questions to ponder today: Which camp do you belong to right now in your spiritual life?  If it is to the humble that you find your spiritual home, then what can you do to bring others to experience the grace of living in the truth of personal humility? If it is to the haughty, then I doubt you’ve paid much attention to me anyway.

Just remember: to whatever camp you belong – be it haughty or humble – you always have the choice to leave it and choose the other. 

So choose wisely.