The Nail That Sticks Out
Ordinary Time – Season of Stability
The nail that sticks out gets pounded in, or so a Chinese proverb says. What a difference from our society where we are told to dare to be different. In more collective cultures you are encouraged to fit in, not stick out your neck.
It’s not so bad, though, this trying to fit in. After all, leaders are easy targets. We scapegoat people in positions of authority and power. We pry into the lives of our public officials anxious to know their every foible and faux paux.
We secretly rejoice when the “high and mighty”–the royalty of our day and age, movie stars, rock stars, sports stars–fall from their pedestals. Their human problems remind us that despite their fame and fortune they are not so different from us. We rejoice to see them get what they deserve, to pay for the sin of daring to stick out.
Despite our society’s public encouragement to do our best, take a stand, dare to be different, we are still prone to knock down, pull back into the ranks, those who dare to stick out.
Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest; whoever wants to rank first among you must serve the needs of all. Mark 10:43-44
This post is part of a series of reflections on the Church year. click here to follow blog
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