Elitism

Homily for the Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

One of the human attributes that is entirely contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the tendency among human beings to think that they are better than others. This type of thinking often leads to a behavior that excludes others. Although we might think that this tendency did not exist in the early Christian community, the writings of St. John, particularly his letters, bear witness to the fact that it was indeed present even among the early Christians. Indeed, we can find evidence of it even in the writings of St. Paul.

One area in which such elitism is very evident is among people who are better educated and who hold their education as evidence that they are certainly to be esteemed by people who have a lesser education. As we look at the passage from St. John’s First Letter which we proclaim today, you might have noticed that the word “know,” as in knowledge, is used fairly often. One of the very first heresies within the Christian community concerned certain former members who claimed that they knew God through a special kind of relationship. In the Jewish culture, to know another person meant much more than simply an acquaintance with or friendship with the other person. Consequently, to say that one knew God was to maintain that they were not required to obey the commandments, particularly the commandment that Jesus gave us to love one another.

This kind of thinking was vigorously refuted in St. John’s First Letter. One could even maintain that this was the “big lie” of this particular heresy. Indeed, St. John calls these people liars, completely divorced from the truth.

True disciples of Jesus were aware of the fact that they were sinners, that we are all sinners. No one other than Jesus has such special knowledge of God that they can claim that they are above the law and the commandments.

Although other forms of elitism exist in our own community today, prejudices and biases based on race, culture, national origin, and gender, we are still afflicted with this human behavior. As we approach the altar today to receive the Eucharist, it is very evident that all are invited to this table equally. Consequently, there can never be any place for elitism within the Christian community.