In St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises retreatants are sometimes asked to identify their core sins. What sin leads to their other sins? Often, the retreatant names pride or jealousy as their core sin. I recall a Jesuit once wrote that the path to all sin starts when we believe ourselves to be better than others. Once we think we’re better than others, then we can justify anything, including sin. We start to believe that the rules don’t apply to us because we’re better than others, than the rest of humanity. And so, we can do anything:

If you want to drive recklessly, then go for it. You’re more important than anyone else on
the road and getting to your destination on time takes priority over the safety of others. If
you want to cheat on an exam, then do so. You’re already smarter than everyone in the
class so why waste your time by studying? If you want to steal from the poor, go for it.
They’re poor so they’re obviously inferior and you deserve to have the little they own.

Anything goes when you think you’re superior to others.

In today’s first reading, St. Paul provides a corrective to this attitude of superiority, reminding us to “humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of others.” And Jesus shows us how to place this corrective into action, encouraging us to “invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind” to our tables. The very people society looks down upon are those we are called to welcome. Jesus ate with the outcasts, sinners, and tax collectors. Jesus, the Son of God, did not believe himself to be better than others. Neither should we.

As the United States approaches the midterm elections, today’s readings raise important questions. Does our own attitude of superiority prevent us from seeking the common good? How do we welcome the poor, outcasts, immigrants, and marginalized to our tables? Do we support public servants who think they’re better than others, especially those they are charged to serve? Can we work for a society in which we all recognize our need for God’s mercy and love?