October 30, 2011: Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
I think one of the primary things we humans are meant to do when we are set upon this earth is to learn. To be wide-eyed with wonder and joy at all there is to know in this beautiful, complex world. And what predisposes us to learn is an attitude of openness and humility, for after all, if we think we know it all, there is no need to learn any more, is there?
Today’s scripture passage refers to the lessons of discipleship as the most important learning that can be done, for when we follow Jesus, we are learning how to love. We are learning how to be in right relationship; with ourselves, with others, and with God. In this gospel from Matthew, Jesus is telling us to pattern ourselves after him and him alone. He warns us that there are many who will set themselves before us as teachers, but those who cannot practice what they preach are truly deluding themselves, as they are hypocrites. Such people cannot learn and follow Jesus’ example because their minds are clouded with lies.
In this passage from Matthew, Jesus is exhorting us to be humble so that we can be open, for we cannot be open if we are not humble. When we “exalt” ourselves, when we think of ourselves too highly, we are closing ourselves off from true learning and true discipleship, because we are blind.
My experience is that life is full of opportunities to learn to be humble, but in case we need to be brought down a notch or two, I think that God is only too willing to allow humbling experiences to take place in our lives, so we can better learn. Being humbled keeps us on our toes, and enables us to listen to that which is true.
Matthew is telling us Jesus is a true teacher: a comforting thought when we believe we have no place to turn. Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.