Some time ago, in one of these blogs, I quoted the saying of a wise old Chinese parrot. He said:
“A wise parrot never gnaws the perch on which it likes to sit.”
And I’m very ashamed to admit that I don’t always practice what I preach. I literally came within a millimetre of crashing down to the floor of my cage. And although I’m a parrot, you could say this makes me “human.” Because if we truly believe that we always practice what we preach, then we are deceiving ourselves. That applies to Vicars and teachers; to judges and politicians, - to absolutely all of us. So often we mean well, we aim to say “the right thing,” but we don’t always abide by it. And it’s only when we come to terms with our own flaws and failings that we learn true humility.
Similarly, it’s all too easy for us to believe that we know better than others; that we are wiser and would always do a better job in the same situation. Now that many countries are passing through the peak of the Coronavirus epidemic, some humans are pointing the finger at their politicians and leaders for not having protected them better. And there are also presidents pointing the finger at the World Health Organisation. And while it’s important to ask questions, accusations and finger pointing belong to a “culture of blame.” These humans have not learnt about true humility. Humility serves as the counter-weight to hypocrisy. It helps to keep us in check. And it also makes us more receptive to God. Working together is far more effective than creating division.
Jesus had many run-ins with the Pharisees and Sadducees and Teachers of the Law. And somehow, while keeping to the path of humility, He was able to expose them all for what they really were. We all need to take heed of that.
I’ve now been given a new perch to replace my old one. I expect that over the coming weeks, I’ll gnaw that one as well. I’ll be foolish. But I’ll confess my foolishness to God and know that He will still love me for what I am……..
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)
