This Is Me In Grade 9
Ok, actually probably grade 12, but close enough.
My brother reminded me of this picture last night. His comment was, “You thought you were cool. LOL!” Whether or not I thought I was cool, it is clear from this picture that I was not. As I looked at the picture I began asking myself questions like, “Why were you wearing a red tie?” and “What were you thinking about when you chose those shoes?” I have no answers.
The picture does remind me of something Fr Hugh Tasch, OSB once told us when I was in the seminary. He said, “It is better to be humbled than to be humble.” This is certainly a humbling picture when I look back upon it and I’m sure most of us can find similar pictures of ourselves that, except for the comic value they bring, we wish were never taken. But if it weren’t for these snapshots of our past, we would miss opportunities to grow. I probably did think that I was being cool when this particular picture was taken, and if I am honest I probably still think too highly of myself. “That was an awesome homily I just delivered!” runs through my head more often than it ever should. It may very well be that the same things that made me think that the “Sears pose” (that is what we liked to call it at the time) was cool beyond belief at age 17, can apply to those things that I think are the most clever about myself today. And it may very well be that they will look as ridiculous to me twenty years from now as this picture does today. But here’s hoping I can laugh at those things just as easily as I do this photograph.
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Oh yeah, we’re still “cool” even if it is cool being humble.
I remember C.H. Spurgeon’s reply to someone who said, “That was a wonderful homily!”…
He replied, “Yes, Satan has already told me that.” Been there, still there. sigh.
Steve,
I never really liked spurgeon, but this quote is fantastic, and yes we are “cool”. As it has been said, “Many are called, few are chosen. Many are cool, few are frozen.”
Fr C
Whaddya mean, your not cool? Even now those shoes are the perfect compliment to that tie. Now where did I put my square framed glasses?
Humility is a great topic, and I love your comments. I’ve often wondered why we are so respectful of those who reflect true humility, yet our culture glamorizes self indulgence and arrogance. It seems to me that a life committed to Christ is empty of self, yet abundant with assurance and confidence that only Christ can provide.
Thanks for the comment Phil. It is somewhat strange to be speaking about humility on a blog, but I do think self emptying is at the heart of the gospel.
I am humbled now in the 21st century to be praised.
Hey there Fr. Hugh!
It has been a long time. You never know where your words will end up, do you? Thanks for the wisdom you shared with myself and so many others. I remember well also the day I made what I thought to be an amazing comment in your class on the psalms and you replied, “I suppose you could say that, but that would make you a heretic.” Good times!
Hope that you are doing well.