Honor – As Marriam-Webster defines it - “good name or public esteem” or “one whose worth brings respect or fame” – or, if used as a verb - “to regard or treat with admiration and respect” - It is something we all seem to want – it is prized, something people are fighting for. After all, no matter how much we might protest, who does not like to have some recognition of what they have done? To receive a reward? Offered a prime VIP seat? There is a reason one of the most effective fundraisers involves putting people’s names on things. – Honor is something we all seem to want.
This is not new today – the Greeks prized honor, as did the Romans – and then there was the chivalry of the Middle Ages. The Pharisees are no exception – they too want to sit at the best seat – the most honorable seat at the table – they want recognition - But all this searching for honor, but what is it that they are really searching for? What should be looked for?
The ancient world held honor exceptionally highly, and at first, Jesus seems to be giving a bit of practical advice – it is foolish to seek the place of honor above what you can take, for you risk getting humiliated and asked to move down to a lower position. Far better to risk getting less praise but avoid the humiliation and embarrassment.
This piece of advice actually made a lot of sense in the ancient world – They all wanted honor; after all, honor was seen as a virtue - but no one wanted to be humiliated – Better to play it safe - no one wanted to be humble.
In fact, humility was not seen as a virtue at all – it was considered a vice in the ancient world – one was only humble if they were weak – the honorable are strong and win victory – humility was seen as just weakness – it was an excuse – something to be avoided - or so the thinking went – Here is the radicality of Christ coming the fore – Jesus does not end with practical advice – he goes farther – much farther!
It is not just that one should be careful to not try and take a higher seat than one should in order to avoid the humiliation – he extends far further - First, saying that “one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” - We cannot bring honor to ourselves- for, as Marriam Webster says – to be honored is to be regarded or treated “with admiration and respect” – if we seek to honor ourselves, it ceases to be an honor, but foolish self -praise – any true recognition must come from another. It is only if we are humble that any sort of honor is even possible. Therefore, we must live the virtue of humility, not claiming - but letting them be given. Humility is, in fact, a virtue. It is only with humility that receiving honor even becomes possible.
Of course, Christ goes even further – not only that it is only in humility that honor because possible, but that one should not invite those who can pay you back – do not just serve those who can give you honor. Invite those who cannot. Do not seek honor, work for the good, seek out God, pursue and live with Christ – There is nothing wrong with honor – we should live honorably – but honor is not a virtue, honor is not to be sought - We should be working to humbly do the good, for humility is the virtue. It is only if we do this that we can receive our reward in heaven – for God, who forgives us our sins, can then provide the invitation to move to a higher place.
It is first and foremost Christ himself who shows the way – Jesus – The Son of God – became man – not claiming high places but born in a lowly manager – eating with those who can not do anything for him. Going to the Cross, dying as a criminal, with no regard among men – Yet in his resurrection and assumption is not exalted on high – for the Father elevates the son – Christ has saved us by his humility – not brute strength or conquering power. An example we are called to follow, even as it is only possible by God’s grace.
And if the example of Christ seems too hard to follow, we can look to the saints to see how it becomes possible by God’s grace – One good example is St Therese of Lisieux – She was nearly unknown outside of her convent, dying of Tuberculosis when she was only 24. No great conquests to her name, no great missionary journey. No great academic studies or long treatises of theology. No great miracles were performed in her life.
And it is this saint that was Pope St Pius X, “the greatest saint of modern times” – It was St Therese that Pope St. John Paul II made the patroness of missions for her prayer – and a doctor of the Church for her “little way” – making small sacrifices of daily life. A quiet cloistered life – St Therese did not seek any honor, but sought to humbly follow Christ in whatever small ways she could in daily life.
Just as the Pharisees wanted honor, part of us always likes being honored, being told how good we are, having a seat of importance – and there is nothing wrong with receiving these things – but honor is not what we seek – it is not evil, but it is also not a virtue. Humility is a virtue; it is the humble Christ that saved us, not the proud conqueror– and it is by following Christ and the saints, such as St Therese, in humility, that we find our salvation – where God asks us to come to a higher place – a place at the heavenly banquet.