SELF-PROMOTERS

 

SELF-PROMOTERS

We counselors are familiar with individuals who, to all appearances, may seem self-effacing, but who are really self-promoters. On the outside, they seem to be always casting their eyes downward, but on the inside, they work with might and main, to present themselves as more competent or worthy than they really are. Their aim is to get positive “vibes” from others. What happens is the opposite, for people ordinarily have a quick eye for self-promoters and loathe them.

The Gospel today, from the psychological viewpoint, is a story of one self-promoter at least. The first personage illustrated by the Lord could best be described as cheeky. He chose the first place. And he got his just desserts. “Give your place to this person.” There is an apt word for such—shame, no less.

I remember talking to a guy I met while he was doing graduate school in the US East Coast. He was quite popular back home, being a songwriter associated with a big top university then. After the usual pleasantries, it became some kind of a monologue. In the first five minutes, he managed to tell me all about his successes and his plans, along with what he was so busy with then and what he had achieved so far. Of course, he did not bother to ask what I was doing. In truth, some people are experts on three major topics in this world: I, Me and Myself.

Luke, who reports this parable, minces no words. But his aim was neither to shame nor cast aspersions on the self-promoter. This was a parable, and a parable literally means laying one thing alongside another. For comparison. For effect. For maximum impact.

And the impact was reserved for what the Lord was focused on—the beauty and nobility of humility. And humility means not to be self-exalting, for the result of self-exaltation is possible humiliation. Conversely, the end result of self-humbling is exaltation. There is more. No instant results here, but “in the resurrection of the righteous.” Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

---------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS ----------

Do you look for affirmation from other people? How do you feel if you don’t get it?

Teach me Your brand of humility, Lord. Amen.
Today, I pray for: _____________________________