Daily Reflections

july 16, 2011
To be like CHRIST IS To Think Less of Oneself

During the campaign period for the 2010 national elections, a candidate running for the presidency, who was an early favorite, began to decline in approval ratings. An obvious factor for this was not just his failure to answer the various allegations of malpractice and corruption he committed as a senator but a general perception that he was a user. He used entertainment and sports personalities to endorse his candidacy. He used his aged mother to sway the sympathy of public opinion to his favor. To this last scheme, many reacted and commented, “Aging mothers are better shielded from the pain of unpredictable and merciless public opinion. Their children should not use them as shield; the children are strong enough to fight their own fight.” With such reaction, his strategy boomeranged on him.
It is indeed a strong human tendency to seek support for oneself, to utilize moments of being down to play with other people’s soft hearts, to capitalize on being an underdog to win others to one’s side. Our vulnerability seeks to feed on other people’s vulnerability.
It is interesting to note that Jesus avoided this pitfall. In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees and His other enemies had just come together to hatch the plot to entrap and kill Him (cf Matthew 12:14). Jesus could have easily excused Himself away from the crowd; Jesus could have put on a facade of irritability but He did not. He spared the crowd from the experience of pain. In fact, the story goes that Jesus went on curing all who were ill. He did not contend nor did He cry and shout. Beautifully, the words of the Gospel underline: “A bruised reed he did not break.” He allowed the Spirit to lead Him to ways of peace and gentleness even as He was in deep turmoil within.
Jesus teaches us the practice of genuine sacrifice. It is self-effacement: thinking less and less of one’s needs and pains. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

Reflection Question:
Do you tend to make others aware about your pains and bitterness? What are your real and deep motivations when you do so? What is Jesus’ challenge for you in today’s Gospel?

Lord, make me think less of myself; instead, help me to focus on what others may be feeling and going through.

St. Vitalian, pray for us.