It's not about us.
We hold this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.
It's not about how status or achievement.
Command that these two sons of mine sit,
one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom
It's definitely not about how we compare with others.
When the ten heard this,
they became indignant at the two brothers.
It is instead about the surpassing power of God. If it were about us we would not endure persecution, perplexity, or being struck down. If it were about us we could not drink the chalice of the LORD Jesus. We could not carry his dying in our bodies, let alone manifest his life in us. So what do we think we're competing about or comparing?
For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? (see First Corinthians 4:7)
Rather than thinking about Christianity from a perspective of self-improvement, let's think more about how we're made able to love others.
But Jesus summoned them and said,
"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and the great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
This does not mean that we ignore our own sin. It does not mean we overlook the absence of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Our lives should be marked by love, joy, and peace. After all, the life of Jesus who came to serve and not to be served was marked by joy. So too, for example, Pope Francis. His joy enables him to live at the service of others. This is the real test. This is the real thing at which we can compete.
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor (see Romans 12:10).
Maybe our desire to compare and compete comes from the intuition that spiritual growth can't be a quietist internal transformation only. But let's direct this energy properly. Let's use it to love one another.
Everything indeed is for you,
so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people
may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.
God doesn't need simply to block or remove it our spiritual pride and vanity. He can transform them into attributes that help build the kingdom.
Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
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