Humility and Quality

In reflecting on the text from Luke in today’s Roman Catholic Lectionary, I wonder if the exalting of the humble is not so much our concern as the humbling of the exalted. Perhaps a focus on the humble would be informative. Humble may be a hiding place for another not easily understood attitude. Is there a “false virtue “of excusing the attitude of not striving for excellence or high quality because that would demonstrate a lack of humility? I suggest that humility is better served when the quality and excellence is pursued, but the demonstration of the good work is reserved and attribution of credit is downplayed. Being our best does not mean we are exalting our ego. I recall the “Grand Howl” of the Cub Scout Organization. We will “Do Our Best Do Our Best” (DOB, DOB, DOB). In Scouting, as in life, “our best” is in service to others. Jesus suggests that the “The Left Hand need not Know what the Right Hand is doing in this service.” The ‘humble service’ should be quality service so that it delivers to the served all we are capable of.