We sometimes come across certain persons who just want to win, no matter what. Such persons usually have a big ego and they think that they are right, or in some cases even if they have been proven wrong, they would twist and turn to try and make it sound that they are not that wrong, or that they are still right from a different point of view. Such persons are what we call "know it alls" or "think they know it all," while the fact of the matter is they may actually only sound right or sound as if they know it all, but if scrutinised further, they may not necessarily be right or know it all after all.
In today's Gospel, we come across a lawyer who tried to disconcert Jesus. Even after Jesus had given a correct and good answer, the lawyer just could not leave things be, and even tried to justify himself. In the end, the lawyer ended up eating humble pie and even though he knew that Jesus had put him in a spot, he was still unable to let go of his pride and ego. Jesus challenged him by asking: "Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands‘ hands?’" The lawyer knew that the example of the Good Samaritan showed what it means to be a good neighbour, but because of his pride, ego and prejudice, he could not bring himself to answer: "The Samaritan proved himself a neighbour..." Instead, the lawyer merely said, possibly in a haughty tone: "The one who took pity on him."
What about us? Are some of us like the lawyer, thinking that we are always right or often right? Have we tried to disconcert or discredit others, to show how great, clever, learned or smart we are? Let us not allow our pride, ego and prejudice to get the better of us, and learn to walk humbly in the presence of our loving and merciful God.
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