Consider also Isaac Jogues, the French Jesuit missionary to the Huron Indians who was ambushed in 1642 by the Iroquois. After experiencing a year of torturous treatment, Father Jogues was able to escape to a Dutch colony at Fort Orange and eventually back to France. Word of his ordeal had preceded him, however, and to his surprise and acute embarrassment, he had become a national hero. The Queen kissed his mangled hands, and
the Pope himself paid him honor. These things were more than he could bear, and he begged to be sent back to the New World to continue to serve the Indians. This wish was granted, and he was given permission to act as France’s ambassador to the Iroquois nation, with whom the French had just concluded a peace treaty.

When he returned, the Iroquois were in awe of him, and the honor that he thought he would escape in leaving France was accorded him by the Iroquois.

Isaac Jogues did not seek honor, but all who knew him held
him in high esteem. Had he attempted to pursue such recognition, it would undoubtedly have blighted the high reputation that he had unwittingly earned. In seeking to serve God without any thought for the praises of others, he became highly acclaimed on two continents. Here is another clear illustration of the fact that one can really only win by losing. Many of those who seek
honor in life will find it constantly eluding them. On the other hand, those who have no concern about such things will often find themselves growing in estimation among their contemporaries, often for the very reason that they are not seeking to glorify themselves, which is laudable in itself. This is clearly another illustration of the many inescapable paradoxes of the Christian
life.