July 5, 2009 14th Sunday, Year B
Appreciate One Another
We in this part of the world seem particularly a victim of the 'tall poppy' syndrome. We like to cut
people down to size: Especially those of our own locality or neighbourhood.
Perhaps it's the carry-over of a colonial reaction to the structured societies of Europe. It may mean that
we are exercising our hard won democratic belief that all are equal and that no one should be
considered better than another. But, we can also be quite harsh at times, and refuse to give credit to
others where credit is due. Prophets are frequently not recognised in their own country.
Paul helps us to face this problem in his letter to the Corinthians. He laments the weaknesses that God
seemingly refused to lift from him. It seems that God will do all that is necessary to cut us down to size.
He allowed a canon ball to smash the leg of Ignatius Loyola at the battle of Pampalona. He allowed
Alphonsus Ligouri to lose an important court case. In all these instances, God cut short the ambitions of
these men, and directed them to a better path.
On a more personal level, God allowed me to fall and break my ankle! All my great plans for the next
ten weeks had to be cancelled. Yes, God is able to do any of the cutting-down-to-size that might be
necessary.
There is no need for us to be engaged in this. Let us be prepared to recognise the prophets and give
credit where credit is due. God will take care of the false and the pompous. All of us have different gifts
and we should be able to recognise the gift in another person. In fact we should rejoice when others are
exercising their gifts and especially when used for the glory of God.
We should also have the humility, as had Paul, to recognise and accept our weaknesses. Humility keeps
us honest, makes us wise, and gives us gratitude for what we have received. Let us hope it does not
take a canon ball to do this as it did for Ignatius Loyola. Pride and envy are the enemy of humility; they
blind us to the real good in a neighbour. These vices blinded the Pharisees when they refused to see any
good in Jesus himself. They refused to see anything but a carpenter of Nazareth. We, too, if we care to
admit it, can be so blind with regard to our neighbour.
God's desire for the Church is that it be an harmonious whole, and only when we can truly appreciate
the good in a neighbour can we hope to work in harmony. God made us social beings. He intended us
to work with one another, to complement one another with our various gifts, to be in harmony with one
another. Just as it takes many voices of different quality to make a wonderful choir, so when we fully
appreciate one another and work in harmony then we can sing marvellously to the greater glory of God.
John Airey CSsR
© Redemptorists 2009
**********************************************
Appreciate One Another
We in this part of the world seem particularly a victim of the 'tall poppy' syndrome. We like to cut
people down to size: Especially those of our own locality or neighbourhood.
Perhaps it's the carry-over of a colonial reaction to the structured societies of Europe. It may mean that
we are exercising our hard won democratic belief that all are equal and that no one should be
considered better than another. But, we can also be quite harsh at times, and refuse to give credit to
others where credit is due. Prophets are frequently not recognised in their own country.
Paul helps us to face this problem in his letter to the Corinthians. He laments the weaknesses that God
seemingly refused to lift from him. It seems that God will do all that is necessary to cut us down to size.
He allowed a canon ball to smash the leg of Ignatius Loyola at the battle of Pampalona. He allowed
Alphonsus Ligouri to lose an important court case. In all these instances, God cut short the ambitions of
these men, and directed them to a better path.
On a more personal level, God allowed me to fall and break my ankle! All my great plans for the next
ten weeks had to be cancelled. Yes, God is able to do any of the cutting-down-to-size that might be
necessary.
There is no need for us to be engaged in this. Let us be prepared to recognise the prophets and give
credit where credit is due. God will take care of the false and the pompous. All of us have different gifts
and we should be able to recognise the gift in another person. In fact we should rejoice when others are
exercising their gifts and especially when used for the glory of God.
We should also have the humility, as had Paul, to recognise and accept our weaknesses. Humility keeps
us honest, makes us wise, and gives us gratitude for what we have received. Let us hope it does not
take a canon ball to do this as it did for Ignatius Loyola. Pride and envy are the enemy of humility; they
blind us to the real good in a neighbour. These vices blinded the Pharisees when they refused to see any
good in Jesus himself. They refused to see anything but a carpenter of Nazareth. We, too, if we care to
admit it, can be so blind with regard to our neighbour.
God's desire for the Church is that it be an harmonious whole, and only when we can truly appreciate
the good in a neighbour can we hope to work in harmony. God made us social beings. He intended us
to work with one another, to complement one another with our various gifts, to be in harmony with one
another. Just as it takes many voices of different quality to make a wonderful choir, so when we fully
appreciate one another and work in harmony then we can sing marvellously to the greater glory of God.
John Airey CSsR
© Redemptorists 2009
**********************************************
