O Lord, it’s hard to be humble.
When you’re perfect in every way.
I can’t wait to look in the mirror.
‘Cause I get better lookin’ each day.
To know me is to love me.
I must be the best in the land.
O Lord it’s hard to be humble.
But I’m doin’ the best that I can.
That old country song always pops into my head when
I hear today’s Gospel passage.
Mac Davis wrote those words, and a dozen other
singers recorded them.
Of course, Mac was being a bit playful and
tongue-in-cheek with those lyrics.
But deep below that exaggerated, oblivious pride,
there’s a layer of truth.
Most of us do have a pretty high opinion of
ourselves.
If we’re managing to get by socially,
That’s a sign we’ve probably overcome our most
blatant self-centeredness.
But at some level, we still feel we’re entitled
to all the good things we have.
At some level, we still feel we deserve full
credit for all the talents and gifts we have.
At some level, we still feel our ideas and beliefs
count more than everyone else’s.
At some level, we like honors and greetings and
titles just as much as the Pharisees.
The song does get one thing right.
It is hard to be humble.
Humility is recognizing and acknowledging the truth
regarding our talents.
And the truth regarding our own importance versus
the importance of others.
We don’t have to deny or bury our talents.
God gave them to us.
And he gave us, and keeps giving us, opportunities
to develop them and use them.
Use them in service to others.
Lent is a special annual opportunity to take a look
at our virtual reality.
A look at the reality of whether we’re growing in
virtue.
A time to make an honest assessment of our progress
in developing humility.
A time to ensure that we really are …
Doin’ the best that we can.
Tuesday, 2nd Week of Lent
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