What’s most important

Father Daniel Schomaker

Guest

This past week I had the privilege of visiting the Eternal City, Rome. It was a time for me to slow down — which I found quite refreshing.

Normally I’m always going from one thing to another. On this trip I noticed something, and it was a point of many conversations amongst the other priests who were with me. The many visitors to the Vatican and surrounding Rome had almost no self-awareness. Walking through pictures, pushing to the front of the line, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk, bumping into you, cutting you off, and so on. Everyone was in a rush.

I have to be honest; I did behave this way at least once because I couldn’t handle the crowd in St. Peter’s Square — I just had to get out. My own self-reflection suggests that this was very selfish. I had no concern for the other. I certainly felt that others had no concern for me.

Why have we gotten this way? I think it’s because we have fallen into the trap of the secular world — “look out for number one.” I am most important. I am the determining factor of what is right. I, I, I. Me, me, me.

The problem is that when we live for the self, we are actually hurting the self. None of us created the world, and none of us has saved it. Only God has done these things! And his command is this: “Love one another, as I have loved you.”

In the Gospel today, the tenants tried to take that which wasn’t theirs. They were living for the self. In the end, it was their downfall. Let us be sure that as Christians we are living for the other — willing the good of the other — living lives of love.

And the reality is, it starts with really simple things. Good manners and kindness. Let’s start being self-aware, so that we can see others. How do we change the world? Start with changing yourself!

Father Daniel Schomaker is pastor, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Ft. Mitchell and director, Office of Worship and Liturgy for the Diocese of Covington, Ky.