“Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father."
Because we are God's people, each disciple must find their particular self in the solitary state of being a self. But a dominant culture that claims to esteem individuality while enforcing conformity leaves everyone deeply confused.
"I gotta be me!" we might sing, and we think just saying that sets us apart from others; even as we admit that someone else wrote the anthem, and everyone sings it! And so non-conformity becomes the cry of conformity.
But we haven't a clue what being a self might mean -- or how much it might cost.
"What a man is before God, that he is, and nothing more." (attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi)
Clearly we should perform righteous deeds. And, obviously, some people will notice. (Or they should, anyway.) The question might be asked, "How do I feel when my righteous deed goes unnoticed? And never will be noticed? Or, should I happen to tell someone about it, and they ignore the remark because they're paying no attention to me? Is that okay? Does it matter?
"Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching," and no one notices, and no one cares.
I am alone when I let the Lord see me. When I invite the Crucified to see and judge and calculate my worth -- which, in the light of his suffering, cannot be much -- I am alone. But I cannot see myself, and the Lord is silent.
"I think, therefore I am!" Descartes changed history with three Latin words, (Cogito ergo sum) but when I say that -- nothing happens. I still don't know who I am. There's a lot more going on in me than I can account for?!
The philosopher didn't say to whom anyone belongs, or whether we're accountable to anyone; or what that One might make of me, or even if there is Someone other than myself to make something of me.
"...when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
Perhaps it doesn't matter what I think of myself. We learn from the Apostle who said, "I do not even judge myself. And Pope Francis, "Who am I to judge?"
"For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.