Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
(II Peter 3:12-15a.17-18; Mark 12:13-17)
The recent motion pictures “Man of God” relates the saintly
life of the Greek Orthodox priest, Nektarios of Aegina. Nektarios demonstrated holiness when he gave
a beggar the shoes on his feet, when he retired to prayer and work in a
monastery, and – most of all -- when he refused to use his popularity as a
platform to attain high ecclesial office.
In a poignant scene, Nektarios is urged to seek the patriarchy of
Alexandria for the sake of the people.
He told his promoter that he was tempting him with power. In today’s gospel Jesus similarly resists the
flattery of the Herodians and Pharisees.
In Jerusalem to give himself as God’s servant, Jesus is
approached by his enemies. Before they
ask a question meant to ensnare him in controversy, they try to flatter him
with accolades about his integrity.
Jesus, however, knows their hearts, refuses to respond to the flattery,
and then deftly responds to the question.
The scene ends with even his opponents amazed at Jesus’ astuteness.
Flattery plays on our pride, the basest vice because it inflates
our ego. Thinking of ourselves as
important, we think less of God. We are
wise to be wary of excessive attention to us and to acknowledge the Lord behind
any virtue we possess.
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