“True success lies on a different path, the one shown to us by Jesus.”
The apostles are revered in the Christian church. They were the first “bishops” guiding the nascent Church through its first shaky steps. But they did not start out as the most promising group of men.
In the book “Eating Problems for Breakfast,” by Tim Handel, (Word Publishing, 1988) you will find this:
To: Jesus, Son of Joseph
Woodcrafter’s Carpenter Shop
Nazareth 25922
From: Jordan Management Consultants
Dear Sir:
Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for managerial positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests; and we have not only run the results through our computer, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant.
The profiles of all tests are included, and you will want to study each of them carefully.
As part of our service, we make some general comments for your guidance, much as an auditor will include some general statements. This is given as a result of staff consultation, and comes without any additional fee.
It is the staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability.
Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership. The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We feel that it is our duty to tell you that Matthew had been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus definitely have radical leanings, and they both registered a high score on the manic-depressive scale.
One of the candidates, however, shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind, and has contacts in high places. He is highly motivated, ambitious, and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right-hand man. All of the other profiles are self-explanatory.
We wish you every success in your new venture.
Sincerely,
Jordan Management Consultants
***
Success means different things to different people. As Christians we are called to be in the world but not of the world. But all too often we lose sight of that and measure our success by the standards of the world.
By using the standards of worldly success, the most successful of the apostles was Judas. Judas was successful in ways that most impress the world; financially and politically.
We do not always consider this, but the ministry of Jesus and his twelve apostles required financial support. This support was obtained through the generosity of wealthy donors. Judas was responsible for keeping and managing the apostolate’s money. When he saw no future in following Jesus he skillfully manipulated the political forces of the day to achieve his goal.
And the greatest failure among the apostles? Peter would be a good candidate. Peter was powerless in a crisis and socially awkward. At the trial of Our Lord, Peter would not even admit to knowing Jesus. At the Transfiguration, Peter was at a loss and said the most awkward inappropriate things.
Peter did not seem to be the type of person we would want to spend any time with, certainly not in times of danger and probably not even on social occasions. But course, time had changed our opinion of both Judas and Peter.
The name “Judas” has now become synonymous with betrayal and Peter is one of the most honored names in the Church and in the world. In spite of this we continue to chase after the success of Judas, financial wealth and political power, to protect us against the failings of Peter, powerlessness and ineptness.
We live in a world where selfishness and sin are frequently glorified and glamorized while true success is ignored. The rich and famous are held up as examples and praised, but all to often they are anything but praiseworthy.
These are the illusory desires that Saint Paul speaks of. By pursuing them, by desiring them, we are ultimately robbed in the end.
True success lies on a different path, the one shown to us by Jesus.
We must put off the old self that is focused on temporal gain, so that the new self, created in God’s image may be put on. Jesus is the image of God that models for us this new person. He does not give in to the popularity of the crowd. He stays focused on His mission. He is pure self-giving. He is the example we are to follow.
And if along the way we achieve some measure of wealth or power, then it is given to us by God to further our mission.
“If riches increase, set not your heart upon them.” Ps. 62:10
We are not here to give in to the temptations of the world. We are here to be conformed to the image of God, so that only the Father’s will takes place in us.
This is the path to everlasting life that Jesus shows us.
Pax Vobiscum
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time