“It’s not about “I’m helping you” but “We’re walking and learning together.” (Richard Rohr)
Where did I get the idea that I know best? That I’m the one to help you? That only my group has the truth and so we must make sure everyone else becomes like us?
Forgive me! I’ve ignored the warnings about pride and arrogance, piety and snobbery for far too long. Look them up! They’re everywhere (Proverbs 16:18, 1 Corinthians 4:18, Philippians 2:3). I’m in the process of learning and letting go.
This notion that I am better than others has been my fuel and unholy motivation. I remember telling a boy in elementary school that my religion was better than his. Thinking my way is the best way has caused me to diminish and dismiss others in ways I am ashamed of. I’m not better than. I’m not smarter than. I’m not wiser than.
Putting others down, looking at the way they live as “lesser than,” has been a boost to my ego, or so I thought, helping me to feel superior. “God, I thank you that I’m not like these others…these sinners.” Didn’t Jesus speak about that in Luke 18:9-14? But, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”
But over here, there’s such moral corruption. And over there, well, they live like savages, barbarians. And, can you believe what so-and-so did? Be like me! Do things my way! Come to my side!
There, I’ve gone and done it again! I’ve set myself up as the moral police, as judge and jury, as mother knows best. Maybe I need to listen to you.
I’ve fallen into the earliest temptation, wanting to know good and evil, wanting to put myself in the place of God. This was the original sin. This was Adam’s and Eve’s fall.
I’ve crucified Jesus all over again. We thought we knew best, and so we nailed God to a tree. And God went willingly to show us how wrong our judgements are.
We don’t know. I don’t know. You don’t know. Let’s acknowledge and move on together. Walk together. Learn together. Help each other. Work for the freedom of all, together.
“If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. If you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” (Lilla Watson)
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