You Cannot Make Yourself Great

Try as we might, we cannot change our status in society. We cannot change how others view us. We cannot change if others honor us or slander us. We can only change how we respond to what God has called us. God has called us to greatness, but by His doing, not ours.

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee”; as he says also in another place, “Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6

Whether we are called to leadership within the Church or workplace, the approach is the same. Others recognize something within us that God has revealed through our willingness to serve Him. It is the reality of the “AXIOS” proclaimed at ordination.

The problem is that our society is built upon the idea that we lift ourselves up. We are taught to make something of ourselves from an early age. We ‘put ourselves out there’ for others to see and adore, even if there is nothing to adore.

This is our human condition. Our ego demands adoration, and we will stop at nothing to obtain it. Saint Paul is reminding us today that God is the One Who determines who is great. God is the One Who calls us to high places.

It is no coincidence that God says clearly, “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23.12) Our job isn’t to ‘put ourselves out there’ but to honor God by serving others with the gifts He has given to us.

If our peers recognize us for that service, praise God. If they don’t, praise God. We don’t live to convince people to honor us. We live to honor God. If He desires, God will honor us before others. We have many examples of this in the lives of the saints.

Over and over again the saints ran away from honor. They rejected accolades. They refused positions of honor, many even fleeing to remote monasteries to avoid being honored. The result? We recognize their holiness as Saints of the Church.

The saints inspire us to live holy lives. It doesn’t matter if the world honors us. We serve God and His Church. With Great Lent around the corner, it offers us a great chance to step back from accolades and focus on what really matters. Are we honoring God with our life?

If God is pleased with us, then our efforts will not be wasted. If your life hasn’t honored God up until now, I encourage you to make an appointment with your spiritual father for Holy Confession. Get a fresh start and leave your ego behind during Great Lent.