A Few Words On "The Word"

November 4, 2007
The 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Luke 19:1-10

Are You Popular?

Popularity - it seems to mean almost everything when you're in high school. Worrying about who your friends are and what group you're a part of is an almost daily occurrence. Trying to fit in or be recognized as “cool” is your full-time job. In fact, your mood may primarily depend on how your social life is going. You may have failed that math test, but if that popular guy or that beautiful girl paid attention to you, then it was a good day.

In reality, the popularity contest doesn't end once you leave high school. Popularity is essentially about our own self-esteem, which we continually shape. Most people eventually become more comfortable with who they are, but there is still a recognition of who's in and who's out. We often see popularity unfolding on a much bigger stage. The movie stars, the athletes, the rich, and the powerful. Essentially, the distinction between the “haves” and the “have-nots” continues.

Believe it or not, popularity was also an issue during Jesus' life. People living in the first century were just as concerned about fitting in as you or I are. There were also obvious distinctions in Judaism of who was popular.

Jesus confronts this popularity contest head-on in this week's gospel reading. The well-known story of Zacchaeus tells us several things about Jesus' view of society. As expected, it shows us that Jesus doesn't really care about who's considered popular. In fact, Jesus often befriends those on the outside.

Jesus' attitude toward those pushed to the fringes of society is central to his message. He continually seeks to lift up the ones who have been forgotten. Instead of assuming the role of a mighty and popular political leader, Jesus took on the form of a poor carpenter. Despite his obvious popularity, Jesus never forgets to personally connect with those around him, especially the ones that get overlooked the most.

To be truthful, we all want the illusion of perfection and beauty. We want to be around people who make us feel beautiful and accepted. We want to be popular in one way or another. However, Jesus shows us that being popular actually isn't all it's cracked up to be. He wants us to find ways to build up others, especially those that the rest of society feels are unpopular. Sometimes this means making efforts to include those at school who aren't popular. As peacebuilders we realize that it's also bigger than that. It's about leveling the field on a global scale, going out of our way to find the unpopular people who need Christ's love the most.

Reflection Question

In what ways have you been faced with choosing between popularity and doing what Jesus calls you to do?

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