Because you are haughty of heart, you say, “A god am I!
I occupy a godly throne in the heart of the sea!”—
And yet you are a man, and not a god...
Ezekiel's parody of the prince of Tyre sounds like "the self-made man," an all too familiar figure in American society. They might be the wall street trader, the banker, or the street sweeper. They might be a Harvard graduate or a high school dropout; a drug dealer or a president of the United States. Their accomplishments impress no one but themselves; their authority depends entirely upon the power others give them. As Jesus said to the officious procurator, "You would have no authority were it not given to you from above." He and Pontius Pilate both knew it could be cancelled in the twinkling of an eye.
The story is told among Franciscans of Bernard of Quintavalle. He was an extraordinarily wealthy pal of Francisco Bernadone, who is known to history as Saint Francis of Assisi. Watching his friend's transformation from reckless spendthrift to ardent ascetic, Bernard decided to join the young saint and pursue holiness with him. He announced his intention to the city and opened his house to anyone who wanted anything. A frenzy ensued as friends, neighbors, and complete strangers arrived from every direction. They stripped the house of everything that wasn't nailed down, and most of that which was, as Bernard and Francis watched in amused wonder. Everything he owned disappeared in the twinkling of an eye. And good riddance.
Freed of the burdens of ownership, Bernard took to the open road, and preached the Gospel of Joy to everyone who would listen.
The Franciscan tradition also warns the self-made person about the vanity of titles, responsibilities, and offices. Francis said the friar should accept office in the church like a corpse. Pull him out of his casket, set him on a royal throne with ermine on his shoulders, a crown on his head, and a scepter in his hand. He'll be no happier than he was in his casket. Nor will be be disappointed when you take all that stuff away.
If the appointment is important it can be given to others. But, very often in our world of continual restructuring, office holders discover their duties are no longer needed and their responsibilities have been voided. If you treasure anything, make it something else and somewhere else.
The kingdom of heaven is like a pearl of great price, which a merchant found and, in great happiness, sold everything to purchase. Jesus's parable of the pearl strikes me as fanciful, for the merchant has been impoverished by his ownership of a single bauble. How does he eat or drink or pay for his housing? Francis and Bernard knew the answer.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.