March 7, 2005

Arrogance is a really ugly thing. It’s so ugly that the Psalmist says “the arrogant cannot stand in your presence” (Psalm 5:5). Arrogance weakens, disperses, and has the potential to eventually eliminate perseverance in our service of the Most High. When someone is arrogant they are disposed to exaggerate their own worth or importance in an overbearing manner; kind of like making their “importance” felt. This wastes lots of time and energy. That’s exactly what Jesus doesn’t want us to do: “the great ones make their authority felt, but it shall not be so among you.” (Mt. 20:25)

In verse 27, Jesus reroutes the energy that’s wasted with arrogance. There is a legitimate Gospel-oriented aspiration for greatness without the arrogance. It looks like this: “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.” Progress along this radical path of living the Gospel in a way that will contribute to the formation and reformation of culture (the “average Catholic” need not apply) will involve trials. This difficult and joy-producing life-long project will be a real help for us to advance toward humility. As St. Isaac said, “Until we have attained true knowledge, which is the revelation of mysteries, we advance toward humility by means of trials. He who rests on his virtue without suffering tribulation has the door of pride open before him… If you desire virtue, surrender yourself to every kind of suffering, for afflictions give birth to humility.”

Peace and blessings to you and all your families, friends, and co-workers.
4-ever in Jesus and Mary…

Fr. Stan Fortuna, CFR
resides at Our Lady of the Angels Friary in the South Bronx - involved in full-time preaching apostolate, especially to the young (www.francescoproductions.com)

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