I was watching the Oscars the other night, and it's always heart-warming to see others get the recognition that they "deserve" for an especially amazing acting performance or, in other areas of filmmaking, an especially good bit of work. As I get older, I've become more and more interested in how the "winners" react in these situations. Do they remember to thank others? Are they humble? How much do they make out of winning the award? Do they think this is the greatest moment in their lives?
I caught the end of the last interview on Barbara Walters' show just before the Oscars. Sandra Bullock was talking about her mother, and how her mother would watch an awards' show and complain when a winner would say just that, that this was the greatest moment of their lives. "Why say that?" Sandra mimicked her mother's outraged voice: "Greater than finding true love? Greater than the birth of your child?"
I've been thinking about the whole concept of "recognition" recently because I'm working on a sermon based on the parable which people like to call "the Prodigal Son." (Luke 15) Near the end of the parable, the elder son hears about the party the father is going to throw for the return of the no-good younger son, and is enraged. He won't even go into the family home. Later, he tells his father, "Listen! For all these years I have worked like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends!" You can see, reading betweent the lines, these words: "Why don't you reward me for all that I have done for you?! Why don't you recognize my accomplishments by throwing a party for ME, as you are about to do for HIM?"
Jesus originally told this parable to explain his ministry to the Pharisees. They had derided the fact that Jesus "hung out" with "tax collectors and sinners," people who ignored following God's laws -- and here Jesus, the great prophet and teacher, giving them the benefit of His presence! Partying with THEM, and not recognizing or giving kudos to the Pharisees.
In fact, Jesus all along knew the hearts of the Pharisees...knew that what they wanted most of all was recognition: "Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honor in the synagogues and to be greeted in the marketplaces." (Lk. 11:43) Of course, they are not the only ones with that trouble. Many of us fall prey to that problem, to that sin, from time to time. We may be helping others, but we want recognition for helping others!
I saw an example of this as well on Oscar night. I was not aware that a recently instituted Academy rule stated that if two people won, only one could speak. Well, what if two people won for a film they did together, but now they don't get along? Well, that happened. The winning film in the short documentary film category had two producers, one of whom had been suing the other. Upon learning of their victory, one ran down the aisle to get to the podium as fast as he could. The other had trouble getting out of her row -- she later claimed that the other producer's mom had tried to trip her - and when she got there she interrupted the first fellow as they struggled for the microphone. Both were trying to be the one to pay tribute to the star of the film, a remarkable physically handicapped young lady from Zimbabwe who had inspired her nation. At least one should have been gracious enough to stand aside.
How foolish we can be as we strive for recognition? I know there are times when I have been that foolish. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down in the place of honor..." said Jesus once. "But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Lk. 14:7-11) Let us humble oursselves before our Lord and Master. Let us focus on God's Mission, and not worry about anything else.
David Hewitt
