Peter Recalls
They were part of our world and we learned to step out of the way each time they swept across our paths – the Holy Ones, the Pharisees. Holiness was the fragrance that hung on their garments, alongside the jewels and golden tassels and you bowed your head when you saw them praying.
I remember how they watched our Rabbi with his disciples and followers, turning away from the sight of the women, the diseased, the lame and poor and all the other unclean people who flocked to him, as though even the sight of them was a risk to the purity of their gaze. Nevertheless, they loved the Holy One of Israel, and Jesus both attracted and disturbed them. So, it happened one day that we were invited to dinner with one of the leaders and found ourselves shuffling down the room to find the least elevated position from which to hear what our Master would have to say to the fine company.
A little dance was taking place as each new guest arrived and weighed up his worth in the ranking. Should he take his seat near his host, as a senior authority and risk being put down if a greater man came in? Or could he work out a safer place in the center where he could stay comfortably without having to sit close to those of us who pollute his view. I saw that this behavior had also caught Jesus’ attention and he sat quietly watching from his place among us.
A Wedding Feast
When his turn to speak came he shared a story about a wedding feast. (Our Master loved wedding feasts and was a favorite guest among his friends and family. Everyone knew that the bride and groom and all the family were blessed by his presence, since that joyful wedding at Cana). He told us all how much better it is to take a lower seat because if we are proud, we will be humbled but if we act humbly the Lord God, who sees all, will raise us up.
Not Only Pharisees
I was comfortable then because I had not taken a high place at the table, but I had my own humiliations. Jesus gave me a high place when I spoke his Father’s words, naming my Lord the Christ: Son of the Living God but he put me in my place later when I let the Enemy take hold of my tongue. I know that pride is always crouching at the door ready to take us down, and I suffered miserably again after I denied my Lord in the face of his agony. When he restored me to my place all the pride in my heart was replaced by love and thankfulness.
Perfect Humility
It was another moment, however, that opened my eyes and heart to the parable of the wedding guests, on that evening when my Teacher, my Lord came to each of us with water and towel to wash the dust from our feet. I drew back when he approached me, ‘No, you shall never wash my feet,’ but there he stayed, gazing up at me and I gazed down on the Lord, kneeling before me as a servant. What pride can I have left when the Son of God humbled himself for me?
