Shake It Off

A Reflection on the First Reading for September 19th, 2021:
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Wisdom
2.12, 17-20

The godless say, “Let us lie in wait for the righteous one, who makes life inconvenient to us and opposes our actions; who reproaches us for sins against the law, and accuses us of sins against our training.

“Let us see if his words are true, and let us test what will happen at the end of his life; for if the righteous one is God’s son, God will help him, and will deliver him from the hand of his adversaries.

“Let us test him with insult and torture, so that we may find out how gentle he is, and make trial of his forbearance. Let us condemn him to a shameful death, for, according to what he says, he will be protected.”
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​​Taylor Swift, in an interview about her single “Shake It Off,” commented that we live in a takedown culture. I’m inclined to agree with her with one clarification: takedowns are not new to this culture. They’ve been around a lot longer than that.


We live in the world, and the world is flawed. Therefore, the more we are of the world, the more our behaviour aligns with what is valued in the world.


A study conducted at the University of Guelph shines a bright light on the price some people pay for being in the world while deliberately choosing not to be of the world. Researchers found that, when placed in a competitive environment, some participants acted in a way that sacrificed personal gain and promoted the common good. Other competitors, witnessing this generosity, responded not by following suit and upping their own game but by attacking the “do gooders” and downplaying their generosity in an effort to make themselves look less bad by comparison. It’s easy to conclude that perhaps the best strategy for dealing with competition in philanthropy, at work, or in any environment where you may be perceived by others as morally superior, is to be good but not too good. To use a Biblical metaphor, put at least some of your light under a bushel, so that others are not tempted to take you down.


The first reading for this Sunday is about take down. Those consumed by “the devil’s envy” encounter a “child of the Lord.” His “manner of life” is unlike their own, and “his ways are strange.” He is not of the world. The light of his gentleness and righteousness (i.e., his right relationship with God) so provokes the darkness in them that the “very sight of him is a burden.” They plot to shame and torture him, to test his faith in God and to see if he will still call “the last end of the righteous happy.” The guy is a really good guy, and these other guys hate him to death for it.


No one is liked by everyone. Not me. Not you. In fact, sometimes, having people dislike you is a sign that you are doing good — just by being in this world you remind them they can and should do better. The more successful you become the more you will encounter jealousy and the more negative comments will come your way.


If this hits close to home for you, take heart! Think of all the people who have been where you are right now. Think of the saints. Think of Jesus. Also, there are plenty of good people in this world. Stick with them. They will help you to remain good, because iron sharpens iron. Although it’s hardly ever easy, wherever you can, stay ambitious for the higher gifts. And, for everything else, just shake it off.


(Unless you’re in the same situation as the guy in the Book of Wisdom. Then you should call the police. Just saying.)




Donna Davis

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