THE BEST SEAT

In a striking parable, Jesus catches many of us in our desire to be important and seated above others. He says, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.”

It is a real temptation to try and tell others how important we are, who we know, name drop and play with pretense until our egos are satisfied. Jesus would have none of it. Humility was the high road. The better seat is to be offered to us not taken by us.

“Just as a treasure exposed is quickly spent, so also any virtue that becomes famous or well publicized vanishes. Just as wax is quickly melted by fire, so the soul is emptied by praise, and loses firmness of virtue.” – Amma Syncletica 270-350 AD (Desert Mother)

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus