Knowing people in high places seems all so important if you wish to move up the social or economic ladder. In other words, its 'who-you-know' that determines 'who-you-want-to-be'. In a way, there is some truth in this. Yet, we must be careful that we do not fall into the same trap, as did the Jews and Pharisees in today's gospel reading. They thought that they had real knowledge of Abraham, the Father of the nation, and that their claims to direct lineage with this patriarch was a sure guarantee of their salvation and superiority over others. Jesus, in His usual manner, challenges this presumption. Human tradition, no matter how noble or glorious, can never be the yardstick by which one seeks to measure up against others. All the high social contacts, breeding, credentials, or lineage will not make us any better than the other person. Attempts at self glorification mean nothing. "If I were to seek my own glory that would be no glory at all; my glory is conferred by the Father". It is only God through the person of Jesus, from whom we receive our truest and deepest identity. It is in God and in His Christ that we can come to distinguish ourselves. The ultimate question must be reduced to this: Can we truly claim to know God and Jesus?