Bragging Rights

Finding our pride and joy only in Jesus  

Philippians 3:3-8A  

           Brothers and sisters: We are the circumcision,  we who worship through the Spirit of God, who boast in Christ Jesus and do not put our confidence in flesh, although I myself have grounds for confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he can be confident in flesh, all the more can I.  Circumcised on the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrew parentage, in observance of the law a Pharisee, in zeal I persecuted the Church, in righteousness based on the law I was blameless. But whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ. More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.   

          What are the things you like to brag about? What do you take pride in? It’s curious how these things change and evolve over the course of our life. When we’re young, we brag about our own abilities and accomplishments: our 4.0 grade point average, our state football championship, our acceptance letter to the Naval Academy. As we get older we brag about our children and their achievements; we can’t wait to tell someone else what Johnny did or what Susie said. And as we get to the end of our lives we want to hear others brag about us: our life and our legacy. We think someone should write a book about my life or make a movie, and of course, Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt should the leading role!

          I love reading the life of St. Thomas Aquinas, someone who really had something to brag about. He is arguably one of the brightest stars in the constellation of Catholic saints and scholars. He is called the “Angelic Doctor” and the “Universal Doctor” and we still study his writings in the seminary.  But one day, during prayer, he had a glimpse of God – the Beatific Vision – and he declared afterwards that all he had written was “so much straw.” In other words, next to God, there’s nothing to brag about; all our worldly wealth and wisdom is nothing but straw to feed the cows.

   

          In the first reading St. Paul, too, tries to explain that the only thing we should brag about is Jesus. He acknowledges that he could brag about lots of his human achievements as a Jew and as a Pharisee. But, he says, “whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because Christ.” He goes on to add: “More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord.” That is, nothing compares with Jesus. You know, there actually are movies made about the life of St. Paul, but do you think he really cares about them or who played the leading role? All such worldly praise and platitudes would be to him like “so much straw.”   

          My friends, please don’t misunderstand me. Of course, it’s okay to feel some pride as a child who wins the “spelling bee” or does a piano recital. That’s great! Naturally, we’re pleased and feel pride when we buy our first home. Good job! Of course, all grandparents think their grandchild is the cutest and will surely cure cancer! Of course she will! There’s nothing wrong with any of that. But don’t forget to put that pride in proper perspective through assiduous prayer, where you, too, may get a glimpse of God. There, in the blinding flash of true contemplative prayer, you may realize that all we have achieved or accomplished is “so much straw” to feed the cows, compared to “the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus.”   

          Here’s another eloquent episode from St. Thomas’ life. Another day while he was in prayer before the Crucifix, the image of Jesus actually spoke to Thomas and asked him, “What reward do you want for all you have written and done?” St. Thomas answered, “Non, nisi te, Domine,” which means, “Only you, O Lord.” Someday when Jesus asks us that question, we will answer like that, too.  

          Praised be Jesus Christ!