By word and example Jesus told us to be content with a low place in life.

Saturday, 10/29/11

Florida and Georgia are going to have a football game today to decide which gets to brag about being the best. We long to hold up an index finger, shouting, “We’re number one.”

The U.C.L.A. coach Red Sanders in 1950 told his team, “Winning isn’t everything, It’s the only thing.” Vince Lombardi picked it up from Red.

How does that fit in with today’s Gospel where Jesus tells us, “When you are invited, go and take the lowest place.” Like he was saying, “Let them Dogs run all over you.” 

The only thing backing up Jesus in giving that advice is that he lived that way himself.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be clung to. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave… . He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.”