L’eggo my ego!

A very shy priest greeted the wedding guests as they entered the church. He was very nervous, so he didn’t say much.

As the couple approached the altar and after he proclaimed the gospel, the priest gave the best homily anyone has ever heard. He was full of confidence, incredibly expressive, and had everyone in fits of laughter. After the ceremony, the priest became extremely shy again and barely said a word to anyone. Afterward, the groom asked, “Why are you so shy? You seemed like a different person when you were giving your homily.” The priest answered, “I know. But that was just my altar ego.”

In 1972, an advertising agency created one of the greatest advertising slogans of all time about a frozen waffle – and it’s still being used to this day. As you may recall, in each commercial, one person would attempt to steal the others waffle forcing them to yell out, “L’eggo my Eggo!” – to express their resentment at that person’s lack of respect and rude behavior.

Today, I am going to dive into the spiritual relevance of this phrase – well, actually – a slightly modified version of this phrase. And that modified phrase is: “L’eggo my ego!”

Ego is defined as your idea or opinion of yourself, especially your feeling of your own importance and ability.

Christian author J. Oswald Sanders defined egotism as “the practice of thinking and speaking much of oneself, the habits of magnifying one’s attainments or importance. It leads one to consider everything in its relation to himself rather than in relation to God and the welfare of His people.”

And that speaks directly to the message of our readings today: that we need to let go of our egos by denying ourselves and putting others first.

In the Gospel, James and John ask Jesus if they can sit at his right and left when he enters into his glory. This was after Jesus had told them that he was going to be handed over, mocked, scourged, and sent to his death. So the brothers were asking for recognition for all they have done alongside Jesus. They were fixated on the themselves. They wanted Jesus to do their will rather than they doing Jesus’ will.

Then the other disciples were upset after hearing that they asked this. I don’t think they were mad at the request, just that James and John asked before they did. The disciples showed us how easy it is to allow ego to derail the best of intentions.

But the way of life Jesus advocates is about denying yourself, taking up your cross, and losing your life for the sake of the gospel.

In our world today, that is really hard to do. Because everywhere we look, we’re told that everything should be about us: our concerns, our needs, our wants.

Having an ego is quite normal, but what can we do to fight our egos so we’re less self-centered and more other-centered?

Stop comparing ourselves to others. We typically compare the worst of ourselves to the best we presume about others; and that comparison puts our focus on what we think we want in relation to what we think others have. When we feel this coming on, we need to immediately stop ourselves and start thinking about all the things we do have, the people in our lives, and the many blessings that God has given us.

Another challenge is that we often find ourselves chasing after greatness. That’s our egos talking. Jesus says, “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant.” True greatness lies not in what one person can make another do but in what one can either do or endure to make another free. We can only achieve this by seeking the greater things in life: humility, empathy, generosity, selflessness, and love.

Don’t be a negative Nancy or Norman. Our egos love it when we are negative because it leads to self-hatred – and that’s a dangerous place to be. I challenge each of us (myself included) to stop complaining about things. Whenever we feel the urge to think negative thoughts, practice gratitude. Try writing down three things that you’re grateful for and do this every day and notice the change that will take place. When we think positively we will active positively.

Surrender our need to be in control. We have a tendency to want to control every situation and even the people in our lives. When we do this, our estimation of ourselves rises to where we keep someone else lower. It’s our ego’s quest for power and prestige. Typically, we don’t enjoy making sacrifices, because sacrifices involve giving up something or surrendering – and who wants to be a slave to others, let alone sacrifice themselves? Yet, that is what we need to do if we want to be a follower of Jesus.

Life is going to bring us struggles and suffering, and it will difficult at times. But Jesus can sympathize with the weaknesses of our human condition, because he became one of us. God is entirely above us, yet incredibly close to us. That’s why we must stop trying to be in control and simply let God lead us where he wills.

Practice acts of kindness by serving others. Jesus tells us that the disciple who wishes to be great needs to live a life of service to others. Disciples experience greatness when they heal, teach, love and serve – and through these activities, free others from what imprisons them. How do we do this? By getting involved in the many ministries here in the parish or in the community; by stepping out of our comfort zones, standing up for what is right and just, and being a light to those in darkness. It’s living like Jesus.

Following Jesus, denying ourselves, drinking the cup that he drank and being baptized in same way that he was baptized requires suffering – and that is really hard to swallow.

But we need to remember that Jesus promises that the darkness of the cross will lead to the light of resurrection. When life brings us struggles and suffering, we must trust that we will “see the light in fullness of days” as Isaiah said. Because the way of the cross, while often challenging, is where we will find strength in God’s promise.

When Jesus tells his disciples that the privilege of sitting at his right and left is not up to him, I truly believe that it suggests that he is leaving the choice up to us. Here’s the thing: every single day, whether in big or small ways, you and I get to choose where to position ourselves in relation to Jesus.

So, are we willing to think less of ourselves, to suffer, and sacrifice in service to God and to his people? And are we willing to let go of our egos, our need to be in control, and our desire for greatness in order to be truly great in the eyes of God?

My sisters and brothers, this is the challenge before us. There’s no need to waffle on this any longer, because each one of us is called to go out into the world to be people of service and to accept any suffering for the sake of others. When we deny ourselves, we will experience the true joy and peace of being a follower of Christ.

May we make these words a part of our daily prayer: Lord, grant me the desire to put others first and the strength to ‘L’eggo my ego’ – so that I can fully place my trust in you. Amen!

Do you trust God? Find out here.