I used to think that my goal as a Christian should be to be a spiritual as I could be. I wanted to rise above the cares of the world. I wanted to be free from worries over money, a career, possessions and other earthly concerns. I wanted to be a great spiritual leader, and to be an agent of positive change in the world.

In today's second reading, Paul says something that stops me in my tracks. Paul writes that we are to have "the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness."

Paul asks us to be like Jesus who actually was super spiritual and saved the world not by showcasing his spiritual power but by becoming human. "And found human in appearance," Paul continues, "he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name."

God exalted Jesus because Jesus became fully human. It stands to reason that we are called to travel the same path. We are called not to try and be some kind of spiritual superhero, not to seek some kind of exclusive relationship with God, but to empty ourselves, and humbly live in obedience.

This stopped me in my tracks because I realized that my desire to be super spiritual was in many ways a form of pride. I didn't just want to be spiritual, I wanted to be more spiritual than everyone else. I wanted to take pride in my dedication and commitment.

In today's Gospel reading Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for having too much pride to recognize the presence of God in the form of humble servants like himself and John the Baptist. "Amen, I say to you," Jesus says, "tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did."

The tax collectors and prostitutes were not super spiritual, but they were able to recognize and follow both John and Jesus. They were flawed humans, who could see and embrace the presence of God in their midst. We are called to do the same --- not to pretend or necessarily even attempt to reach spiritual perfection, but to embrace our humanity.

If our spirituality makes us feel superior to others, it is probably less than genuine. We are called to embrace our humanity, and to embrace our fellow humans. We too must live our lives in "human likeness" and resist the temptation to think there is a route to God that bypasses human experience. Jesus didn't bypass human experience, nor should we.

The humble are exalted. This is good news for those of us who, while we long to be faithful to God, are all too aware of our failures to do so.

Bill Peatman writes from Napa.