“Pray that the Church will always be a school of humility for everyone, a home where all are welcome, a place where rivalries are set aside and where Jesus still speaks to us and teaches us to imitate his own humility and freedom.”
– Pope Leo XIV
“Pray that the Church will always be a school of humility for everyone, a home where all are welcome, a place where rivalries are set aside and where Jesus still speaks to us and teaches us to imitate his own humility and freedom.” - Pope Leo XIV
It’s safe to say that more than half of the time around the house, I can barely understand my children’s slang. It seems to evolve daily and only a few phrases ever actually make etymological sense. However, every so often I hear one term that is brilliant. For example, in GenZ slang, a “pick me” is one who tries very hard to compliment themselves in front of others through a shallow, inauthentic attempt at self-deprecation.
As I accompanied my eldest child on her accepted college “student days,” there was no shortage of wonderful potential fellow students. There were also a few “pick me’s.” I heard some classics as we walked along one particular tour. A student said, “Oh my gosh, I did so bad on my SATs! What did you guys get?” She would later reveal she got one question wrong. Another student said: “Bro, I didn’t think my 15 APs would be impressive enough. Did you max out on how many you could take?”
For once, I was glad to be old. As I observed the awkward conversations among the soon to be co-eds, I couldn’t help but notice the students who were looking to explore a possible good fit in a school compared to those who wanted others to know they belonged. I wondered in life, leadership, and discipleship, how often am I engaging to connect versus trying to establish my place? Am I helping others feel at home or leading with how far I think I’ve arrived? Whether it’s by my own insecurity or sinful pride, am I trying to make sure I have a place or am I building a space for community?
As we rejoice in the universal “acceptance letters” to salvation offered by our Lord’s Resurrection, let’s remember that the way we commit to it is not to prove we deserve it but to ensure that we help as many people as possible enroll in it through lives that model virtue… especially that of humility.
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