Pride

Matthew 21:32 - For John came to you (plural) in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him. The tax collectors and sex workers believed him. Even after seeing this, you did not repent and believe him.

The sex workers and tax collectors, the "filth" of their society believed John. It doesn't take much brain power to figure out why the chief priests and the elders chose not to go along. Who want to hang around those guys?

Jesus did. Here he explicitly condemns the chief priests and the elders for their pride in refusing to follow John - and Jesus - because of the company they kept. Remember, Jesus had a reputation for being "a glutton and a drunkard" (Matthew 11:19). The religion of the chief priests and elders was all about appearances rather than substance. They wanted to be seen doing the 'right' things so they could condemn others for being less than their brand of perfect.

Jesus condemns this attitude in them and in us. We have - many of us - been raised in an atmosphere of such pride, even if it was never explicitly stated. Our society, including us, has a tendency to think about people experiencing homelessness, poverty, abuse, or prison as somehow deserving of it. We often think of disabled people this way, too. The fact that such people are usually African-American and that their situation was created by government policies at all levels is inconvenient, so we choose not to look at it. Usually, this attitude comes along with a heaping helping of disdain, considering such people lazy, moochers, thieves, or frauds.

Our current Republican leaders are exemplifying this right now in regard to DACA. They refuse to pass a clean bill to let these people stay here and work toward citizenship and they claim the Dreamers are criminals for being here illegally. Outside of the fact that being here illegally is a misdemeanor - like running a red light or a stop sign, they were brought here as children and had no choice. They know no other culture or home. President Obama tried to help them out with little Republican assistance. Until 45 cancelled their status, they were here legally.

They were here legally. When the program was cancelled there was no mechanism put in its place and they are being deported to places they have no knowledge of - and sometimes killed when they get there. This is racist and despicable. The Republicans, by consistently using 800,000 people as political bargaining chips, are about to create 800,000 American refugees with no moral qualms whatsoever. This is what comes from thinking that we are so much better than others. This is the attitude that Jesus condemns in this verse. The chief priests' and the elders' (and the Republicans') pride will keep them from going into heaven until every single one of their victims has gone in ahead of them. Ours, too.

This pronouncement probably surprised the disciples and other onlookers, because the chief priests and the elders were looked up to and respected just as were many of the men who have been called out on their sexual harassments and general misogyny. It is difficult for us as human beings to go from respecting someone to acknowledging that they didn't deserve it. This is partially due to our tribal nature, which is another expression of pride. Our pride is what keeps us - any of us - from seeing reality and accepting the truth.

It's easy to think that we should have learned by now, but this isn't something that can be taught like math. Each person has to learn the lessons of maturity for ourselves. It takes a great deal of courage, honesty, and self-reflection to admit when we're wrong. Such an admission makes us vulnerable to ridicule. Yet, it saves us from causing further harm to ourselves and others. It makes us stronger, more mature, more centered people - just as Jesus challenges us to be.

How do I deal with being wrong? Do I have the courage to admit it? Do I practice self-reflection? If so, how often? If not, why not start now?