C.S. Lewis, in his book Mere Christianity, gives some examples of the sin of pride (122-123): We are irritated by pride in others (he believes that the more pride we have, the more we can’t stand other people who boast or show off); How much do we dislike being snubbed? (When we’re really proud, it drives us nuts when people ignore us or don’t treat us with the respect we want); Wanting more than others (Catholic billionaire Thomas Monaghan admitted that, when he read this point in Lewis’ book, he realized that the reason why he had his helicopter, yacht, etc., was not because he just wanted good things, but because he wanted to have more than others; Lewis says we compare ourselves with others and are happier when we’re richer, more clever, and better-looking, and sad when we’re not); We collect admirers (We love when people pay attention to our physical beauty, intelligence, achievements because it gives us power).
When I think deeply about these examples, as your priest, I must admit that Deacon Andrew has all of them. So do I. There is something in us that wants to be great at the expense of others and even resist God.
In the Gospel, the disciples want glory, which Jesus doesn’t condemn, but shows how truly to attain it. “James and John… came forward to him and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ [We pray like this sometimes, focusing on what’s good for ourselves rather than on what glorifies God and what’s loving] … They said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left [signs of power and prestige], in your glory.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’” (Mk 10:35, 37-38).
What does ‘baptism’ symbolize? New spiritual life by being washed clean with water, but also death because our sins are drowned in the water. So, baptism here refers to Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, and He’s asking: Can the disciples share in His Death that leads to the Resurrection?
‘Cup’ refers to either the cup of blessing or the cup of wrath in the Old Testament. Years ago, we showed a clip of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemani from the highly underrated 2000 film The Miracle Maker, which is a combination of stop-motion and drawn animation. Let’s watch it again. Notice how ominous the cup is and how the devil comes in a superhuman speed to tempt Jesus not to drink it (Please watch 1:14-2:40).
Why did Jesus drink the cup of suffering? Because He loves the Father and us. Here’s the point today: Jesus’ greatness lies in His perfect love, even to the point of suffering; He’s glorified (Cf. Jn 13:31) because He obeys the Father perfectly. This is how we overcome our pride and become truly great.
Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Donald Trump, Kim Kardashian, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Cristiano Ronaldo are seven of the most famous people in the world right now. However, I believe that, in 50 years, most people won’t care about them, perhaps not even know them.
Many of us know Michael Jordan. At least one time, he referred to himself as ‘Black Jesus’ because he could walk on water in terms of basketball, but people have started to forget about him.
How many know the rock band The Beatles? In 1966, one of them famously said, ‘We’re more popular than Jesus,’ (which is an extremely proud thing to say) but every year they fade in popularity.
Yet Jesus is the most famous man in history and always will be. Think about these facts: a 33-year-old man, a carpenter from a subjugated province in the Roman Empire Who wrote nothing, had no wealth, and was executed. Yet the entire world now calculates time based on the year of His birth. There are more artwork, writings, and music dedicated to Him than anyone else. No one will ever forget Him because He loved perfectly and showed the face of God—this is the reason for His glory.
Can Sts. James and John drink Jesus’ cup of suffering? “They replied, ‘We are able.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink you will drink” (10:39). St. James would become the first of the Twelve to die, by beheading, less than ten years after this event. He laid down his life in service of the Gospel.
In some way, we’re all designed by the Father to be great. The way to that greatness is allowing Jesus to live in us, to share in His laying down of His life. Here are three ways to do that: 1) When people around us are arrogant, boastful, and even snub us, if possible, we can correct them, but not out of irritation; first, we must pray for them, love them, and be patient with them, knowing that we, too; are very proud; 2) When Thomas Monaghan realized the extent of his pride, he decided to sell Domino’s Pizza and invest the one billion dollars in Catholic institutions until he dies broke; so, buy fewer fancy things and even give away things we don’t truly need; 3) A great way to overcome our pride is to serve in simple ways, especially when we get nothing in return. For example, today we have our Sunday Brunch. We are looking for more volunteers at the next brunches if anyone new could help.
Jesus teaches, “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (10:43-45).
Years ago, I looked up ‘Most famous women in history,’ and found names like Marie Curie, Queen Elizabeth I, Emmeline Pankhurst, and St. Joan of Arc. What struck me is that none of them are close in fame to our Mother Mary. She wrote nothing, had no money, no importance in the world’s eyes. She was a ‘servant,’ even a ‘slave’ like her Son. Yet, no other woman in history has more paintings, writings, and music dedicated to her, or as many cities named after her. She had no pride whatsoever, and, because she drank the cup of her Son, she gave life to the world. Next to Him, she is the most glorious person ever.