True Honor
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator
Cultural differences are the subject of geographical and sociological academics. As human beings we are profoundly influenced by our respective cultures. For instance, part of American culture is the glorification of the "rugged individual." Our literature, our art, and our narratives celebrate the individual who struggles with the masses. Those who manage to establish themselves as victors over the conventions of society are, in the estimation of many, considered heroes.
Middle Eastern culture, the culture out of which the Hebrew and Christians Scriptures spring, is driven by the concepts of honor and shame. The pursuit of honor and the avoidance of shame are persistent themes that appear over and over in the stories of the Hebrew Scriptures as well as in the preaching of Jesus. So when Jesus constantly raises the issues of who shall be first and who shall be last, he is confronting a fundamental cultural bias. The "reversal theme" of the Gospels stands in direct contradiction to the prevailing ethos of Middle Eastern culture.
The Gospel passage for today's liturgy features Jesus taking issue with the practices of the Pharisees. Jesus advises his followers to follow their teaching but to disassociate themselves from their practices.
The twin engines of honor and shame hold sway over other cultures and other historical periods as well. Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi recognized that 13th Century Italy was plagued by the cultural norms which governed so-called privilege. The society of their time was locked into the order of "precedence." This was especially true of religious institutions. These institutions were extremely concerned with who came first, second, third, etc. The "head" of the institution was called the "superior," a term which Francis of Assisi refused to adopt for his religious order. Taking his cue from the Gospel, he tried to instill an attitude of servant leadership in his religious family. The Gospel mandate to "wash the feet" of the disciples became a symbol of the servant-leader.
To some extent, our 21st Century culture is still very much governed by the notions of honor and shame. Politicians who are found guilty of moral indiscretions are often forced to resign from elected office even though the behavior has no bearing on their political endeavors. They are "shamed" out of office. Religious leaders are also subject to the same kinds of sanctions when they fall from grace. Their fall is all the more devastating because they had either exalted themselves or had been exalted by their followers.
Once again, the Gospel teaches us that if we truly wish to find honor in the eyes of God, we must seek it by placing ourselves in the lowest position. Our Blessed Mother, whose memory we keep in a special way on Saturdays, is a classic example of how this Gospel principal works. The humble maid of Nazareth was assumed into heaven, body and soul, an honor bestowed upon her by her Son. On Monday, one week after we have celebrated her Assumption, we will honor her with the title of Queen of Heaven.
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