http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041014.cfm
“Who do you make yourself out to be?”
This is the question that a group of Jews asks Jesus in
today’s Gospel reading. Who exactly does Jesus think He is? Does Jesus really
believe Himself to be better than prophets like Abraham? Is He just possessed? Crazy? Jesus, what’s
your deal?
In response to this question, Jesus answers, “If I glorify
myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of
whom you say, ‘He is our God.’”
With this suave answer, Jesus reminds us that it is God whose
opinion matters most. This is something that I forget quite often; too frequently,
I find my life becoming a performance for others. I perform good deeds with the
intent of receiving praise from an audience so I can pat myself on the back for
a job well done. Jesus reminds us here, however, that this is the wrong kind of
mindset. Being complimented by other people and thinking highly of myself are
nice things, but it is ultimately God who glorifies me.
As I work to be more aware of God’s presence this Lent, I
want to remember we are all made in God’s image. I hope to do things always
with the purpose of fully reflecting that image and allowing God to shine
through me. Let me be content with knowing that God—and not others—will glorify
me for my good works. I can thus be happy with myself because God is happy with
me, not because others constantly compliment me.
So the next time someone asks you, “Who do you make yourself
out to be?” don’t forget that you can always say, “a reflection of God’s image!”
If the setting is not appropriate for that kind of answer, just think it to
yourself and smile silently.
Nick Endo
FCLC 2016
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