Daily Office Reflection: Giving It Up

Psalms 97, 99 (100) * 94 (95); Judges 13:1-15; Acts 5:27-42; John 3:22-36

I think it is human nature to want to be remembered, to be the one remembered for doing something no one else can do. Few of us can acheive something on a universal-world shaking scale. All of us can and do acheive this on a smaller but just as important scale: with one person whom we love, or with a family member or parent, or a dear friend who knows us better than we know ourselves. We will be remembered, for the particular way we laugh, or pass a glance, or approach an issue or problem, or our deep and abiding love.

It is easy for our ego to get in the way of appreciating this truth: many of us want something bigger, or grander. Giving that up is probably the healthiest thing we can do. Look at John the Baptist today: people had been flocking to him, but alas, this other person has taken his place. The people close to John the Baptist ask him "doesn't this bother you"? And John says, basically, "No. I have done what I can do, as best as I can do. He is doing something different." Although John said he must fade and Jesus must shine, John is still remembered and will be remembered for his work and his love of God.

We all can be replaced...we all will be replaced at some point. None of us live forever. Making those personal and loving connections makes us as immortal as our mortal beings will allow us to be. And that is quite enough.

jfd+

Copyright 2008, John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.