November 6, 2006
The Lord Jesus wouldn’t stand a chance at being elected to public office in our day.
His word is so radically different than the political rhetoric bouncing around the media for tomorrow’s elections. In today’s liturgy, for example, He tells us to “let all parties think humbly of others as superior to themselves, each of you looking to others’ interests rather than his own,” (Phil 2:4) and also not to invite someone to lunch or dinner who might repay you (Lk 14:12-14). Jesus wouldn’t do well on a campaign trail or a fund-raising dinner!
It is always easy to point fingers at those in public office. If we are honest with ourselves, those of us who profess to follow the Lord also fall into the “ego-driven life” more than the “purpose-driven life” or even the “virtue-driven life” (the latter is the title of a recent book by Fr. Benedict). We may half-consciously pass over the Scriptures quoted above with a sophisticated dismissal of our Lord’s exaggerated style. But our Saviour spoke these messages also by His example, and He calls us to imitate Him.
What are some of the ways a religious person falls into the ego-trap? The temptations can be subtle. Our motivation for a kind word or virtuous deed may be more from human respect than from real love of the other. We might not be looking for repayment in a material sense, but in the sense of a reputation, or any words that will give us a sense of a comfortable self-satisfaction, the sense that we have done enough and therefore don’t need any further conversion. Realistically, in this life our motivation will always fall short of 100% agape love, but we’re in trouble if it is more from self-interest than for another’s best interest. Ultimately we realize that unselfish love is in everyone’s best interest.
The key for evaluating our motivation, our spiritual life, and our very identity in Christ is our desire to unite with the cross and resurrection of Christ. Any preoccupation with our own greatness, rightness, independence, or ability is lifeless, while choosing to participate in the death and resurrection of the Lord will be in everyone’s best interest.
Fr. Richard Roemer, CFR
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