Feast of Saint James
Scripture:
2 Corinthians 4:7-15
Matthew 20:20-28
Reflection:
I grew up in the city, and long before recycling and composting were popular, my Dad had a “humus pile” in our back yard. Every time we cut the grass, the clippings went on top of the pile. When we raked leaves they, too, would cover that mound. So did potato peelings, coffee grounds and egg shells. And we would keep turning the dirt with the refuse. Dad had made a sifting screen out of chicken wire and boards; every so often we would sift the humus pile — producing the richest, blackest soil you can imagine! Nature teaches us that fertility comes from rubbish, life comes from death.
The word “humus” in Latin means earth or ground. The English word, humility, comes from this origin. The fruitfulness of the earth depends on the decomposition of organic matter. Today’s readings remind us that the only abundance or prosperity that is real must come from the lowly garbage! James and John send their mother (how pathetic!) to secure a top position in Jesus’ cabinet, and Jesus reminds them of the need to embrace the lowly, the humble… to drink the cup that he has drunk. To be one with Jesus means not sitting in glory and honor, but powerlessness and vulnerability. This is the fragile, earthen vessel of which St. Paul speaks.
In this time of conventions and selecting candidates, I have caught myself condemning politicians for their arrogance and smugness. Today I need to look at my own egotism, my own desire for power-prestige-privilege, asking that I might drink Jesus’ cup of humility, and be grounded.
Fr. Jack Conley, C.P., is a member of the Passionist formation community at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.