Daily Reflections- July 1, 2012

Humility is Power   I’m not sure about the veracity of this story but I share it nonetheless for the lesson it gives. It was said that the son of Bill Gates, the world’s richest man, dined in a restaurant and gave the waiter a gratuitous $100 tip. Bill Gates went to the same restaurant the next time and gave the same waiter a $10 tip. The waiter told Bill Gates of the tip his son gave and Bill Gates replied, “Well, what can I do? He is the son of a billionaire. I, however, am a son of a farmer.” What is the moral of the story? Bill Gates may be the richest man in the world but his feet remain solidly planted on the ground. He never forgot his roots. His riches never got into his head. Jairus was a synagogue official. He was a well-respected man. He had authority and power. He must have always been in control — always over and above every situation. But not over the condition of his daughter who is near death. He heard of Jesus of Nazareth, the lowly son of a carpenter. He came to Him, “fell at his feet and made this earnest appeal: ‘My daughter is critically ill. Please come and lay your hands on her so that she may get well and live.’” Imagine the humility the official had to summon to accept that no, he is not in control, that his power and authority are limited after all. Jesus rewarded that humility with the cure of raising back his daughter to life. Humility attracts the attention of God. Arrogance and pride repulse Him. Pride was the first sin of the first man and woman. Pride, the temptation “to be like God” apart from God, was the first sin that God condemned. Today’s Gospel is a beautiful reminder for all of us. Positions of power are never meant to be used to overpower others, to lord over. The Christian proposal is quite the opposite. Positions of power are meant to empower the other, especially the weak and the vulnerable.Fr. Joel Jason   REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you in any position of power or responsibility? Do your subordinates feel empowered by your authority?   Lord Jesus, You came to serve, not to be served. Make my heart like unto Thine. Amen.