Humility and Entitlement
We continue hearing passionate, strong words from the Gospel of Luke this weekend. Remember that Jesus is on a journey or mission to Jerusalem and is trying to both challenge and teach as he goes. He admonishes those who seek to sit at places of honor, but also seem to think that they are entitled to those positions. He proclaims, “For everyone who exalts themselves will be humbled, but the one who humbles themselves will be exalted.”
Entitlement can be subtle and it can be blatant. Whenever there is a lane closure or a lane ends on a busy road, particularly when people are in a hurry during rush hour, you see examples of entitlement all the time. Drivers race up as far as they can go and then try to merge at the last minute, almost always without using an indicator to convey their intention.
Now I don’t know the background of each of these events. Perhaps they have an emergency requiring them to arrive at a destination quickly, but I can’t help but feel most of the time they simply feel entitled. They assume someone will let them in and most of the time that happens. I suspect it conveys an ‘I am more important than you’ attitude. It demonstrates a lack of awareness that others might be in a hurry as well. It also often demonstrates a complete lack of awareness of basic driving etiquette that is another form of entitlement.
Beyond driving, I see many examples of an attitude that says, “I have not come to serve but to be served,” which is the exact opposite of the statement that Jesus made. Let’s heed the Gospel message and check the subtleties of our entitlement. Let’s increase our awareness of others and their needs that will hopefully lead to action that says, “I have come to serve not to be served.”
Shenanigans Fall Fest
Our Shenanigans series has brought many parishioners and friends to Holy Family to catch our vibrant spirit. Mark your calendar for a continuation of this series melded with a tradition that we have here in our community. Shenanigans Fall Fest will be held Sunday, September 25 beginning with 11:00 am Mass, continuing with a Knights Café and including lots of fun, games and family time lasting until 3:00pm.
Gala
It is not too early to mark your calendar for another great parish wide event. Our Gala 2023 will be held on Saturday, February 11. More details to come.
