Reflection - Descent

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/011117.cfm
Hebrews 2:14-18
Mark 1:29-39

Football players are touted for their readiness to visit children in hospitals on holidays or birthdays. Mother Teresa was considered a saint during her lifetime because of her work among the street people of Calcutta. Pope Francis rose in the esteem of many when he chose to live outside the confines of the papal apartments and when he spontaneously embraced a leper and had lunch with some of the homeless in Rome. The media does not hold these people up for display because of their personal character traits or their ability to empathize with others. In the objective sense, what they do or have done is not all that unusual. Consider:

Many are generous, giving of their wealth for the benefit of those in need. But that 'wealth' is minimal, more like the widow's mite than the millions of the sports hero.

Many are moved by human suffering and they struggle to alleviate life's pain through words of consolation or in giving time to just listen. But the words and actions of ordinary people seem to pale in the face of a western woman who has abandoned the comforts of her birthplace for the slums of foreign cities.

Many are spontaneous and gracious in their dealings with others, working with kindness and simplicity in soup kitchens. But their actions appear insignificant when compared to the actions of a pope.

No, the media does not hold football players and Mother Teresa and Pope Francis up for display because of their personal character traits or their ability to empathize with others. Rather the attention received by these three and others like them seems to be because of the perceived distance they are willing to descend in order to do the things they do. The sports figure descends from the pedestal on which he receives the adulation of the fans to the despondent and suffering in the hospital. The holy woman descends from her birthplace of opportunity to the dust of the streets. The cleric with the triple crown descends from his papal throne to the residence and table of the common folk.

There are just a few of the people whom society has exalted in status. We may call them kings or presidents, movie stars or TV celebrities, sports heroes or Olympic champions. In a variety of ways they have "risen to the top" and may attract followers wherever the go. At times they even find it necessary to travel incognito or visit places under an assumed name. When these people "descend" from their pedestals or superior cultures or velvet thrones we are surprised, and pleasantly so. 

These thoughts came to mind as I reflected on today's Scripture reading from Hebrews; so, let me rephrase the very first line of that text to make clear what caught my attention. 

Because the children of Abraham are flesh and blood,
Jesus became flesh and blood. 

St Paul gives us a similar message when writing to the Philippians. "Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:5-11) When Paul says that Jesus did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, he uses an uncommon Greek word, found only here in all of Scripture. This word has been the subject of a variety of translations and interpretations among both ancient and contemporary scholars. Our present translation renders the Greek word as 'a thing to be grasped.' The most convincing translation seems to be "something to be exploited for personal gain". Reading the text this way would indicate that Jesus, unlike the many ambitious rulers of the world, both ancient and current, did not view his divine dignity as something to be used for selfish purposes. He did not count equality with God as something to be exploited for personal gain. Rather, the eternal Son lowered himself into human history. He descended below kings and presidents, movie stars and TV celebrities, sports heroes and  Olympic champions. He came among us as a servant. He didn't simply pretend. He didn't just act the part. He didn't manage a role that allowed him to escape if it hurt. 

You can see why the text prompted me toward a consideration of those in our own society and culture whose "descent" into certain areas of human life surprise us. We are willing to give the sports figures, Mother Teresa and Pope Francis the benefit of the doubt, never questioning the authenticity of their actions. It might cross our minds that they intend to set an example or satisfy their own need; but neither of these would render their actions self-serving. So what do I make of the Son who, himself, "descends," as it were. The Wisdom of Solomon describes the event with the imagery of a poet: "while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was half gone, [God's] all-powerful word [the Father's only Son] leaped from heaven, from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed, and touched heaven while standing on the earth."

The 'descent' of any of those who occupy any kind of 'celebrity throne' in our society easily captures our imagination. The news reports it. The TV commentators exalt it. The evening talk shows schmooze about it. We share our surprise and pleasure in discussing it. But there is a descent far more extravagant and open hearted than any demonstrated by our celebrities. 

After the opening verse, this morning's text proceeds with an explanation of the Son's purpose in becoming man. I never got that far. The opening words alone were more than I could fathom.

Because the children of Abraham are flesh and blood,
Jesus became flesh and blood. 

Sit a moment in silence with this simple truth as your only thought. Just see if it doesn't take your breath away and give cause for celebration.