I enjoy holding the door for people (not only for those who need it but for anyone.). I find it fun to allow someone else to go before me (although it may be my own way of taking control of people cutting in line.). Chivalry in my book is not dead, it just isn't as prominent as it should be.
Chivalry comes from the middle ages as the noble qualities a knight was supposed to have, such as courage and a readiness to help the weak. It is gallantry, courtesy and honorable behavior and any demonstration of any of these qualities. Chivalry is the strong and powerful watching out for the weak. When a knight defends his or another's honor even to death, that is the ultimate definition of chivalry to me. It is selfless behavior. It is the character of Jesus.
I'm no knight, although to carry a big sword would be cool. Yet the honor of King Arthur and the knights of the round table is the kind of behavior that we don't see very often today. Instead of knights we have mercenaries, groups known for terror, behaviors that are much more selfish than selfless. O how I long for the days where honor meant something.
It's that contrast that is highlighted in today's reading from Matthew 26. We see the selfish behavior of the High Priests and religious leaders to the selfless act of a humble, broken woman, one leads to shame the other to honor. Even the disciples missed its significance. We have the benefit of Jesus' response, how he was blessed by her act of selflessness. We should learn something from this story of contrasts, shifting our attention from self to others. And isn't this the very thing Jesus mentioned when he said the most important commands was to love God and to love others?
That should make us want to act like a knight.
Now I'm not suggesting that we carry around bottles of Chanel #5 to pour over people's heads. That's not a good way to get make friends (unless they like that sort of thing!). But it means to show honor and care to those around us. It means to live in ways that puts our selfishness aside for the sake of others.
If there's one thing I struggle with the most it is selfishness. That's my main problem. But I'm working on it. That's why I hold the door for people, why I let others move in line before me. It's why I go last when we have a dinner at church. I know I can be selfish and I know for a fact that Jesus wasn't. I want to live more like a knight: honorable, selfless, courteous, gallant.
It's what Jesus wants of me...
...Of all of us.
Peace ><> (and a courteous bow)
pc
3 comments:
We all have a certain amount of selfishness in us some more than others. I had and have friends that always think of themselves before others and that is hard for me to swallow. I just tell myself continue to do what you are doing and don't judge others. We need to try to be more like Jesus because He always thought of others. My mother, bless her, instilled in me to always do for others whenever possible. When you do for others it leaves you with a wonderful feeling that is so hard to describe.
After reading today's scripture, I am struck once again by the extravagant gifts that are given in this passage. The gift of expensive perfume, and the gift of life itself by Christ.
While meditating on this passage, I found myself asking what gift I need to give. What is it that I am still holding onto out of selfishness?
I pray that God will reveal to me what it is I need to give away and that I can eagerly give that gift to and for Him.
Selfless acts, loving others (not selectively but openly) you before me. God asks this and gives us a path to accomplish it on.
Not doing so others see but doing in God's love, as we find opportunities. Find reasons to share all your perfume, it's risky but you will be blessed.
The joy is doing with love.
Oh and if you see PC with a sword acknowledge how cool it is!
Post a Comment