It is good to have an ego but an exaggerated egoic mind constantly bombards us with a self-centered fantasy working to convince us with an image of we are in comparison to others – this “false” image maker never stops.
In addition, people around us will sometimes tell us who they think we are but mostly they keep their thoughts to themselves. It becomes their little secret to wage love and war. No matter who we are or what we do – some people will appreciate, some will dislike but most will just be indifferent.
The internal messages we tell ourselves and the self-projections that others put on us easily influence us and are powerful motivators for good and bad. We are all susceptible, but to allow one’s life to be dominated or driven by an exaggerated ego or the self-projection of others is to chase the wind.
Much, if not all of our internal and personal conflicts and conflicts within society and between societies can be traced to a loss of self-identity. It only takes open eyes to know that sin is real and evil is real. We are bombarded constantly with thoughts from within and from outside that we are less than who we were created to to “Be.” But sin is not who we are – sin is who we are NOT. When we lose sight of this, we become lost. And the challenge is to return to the pathway on our journey back to God.
We all live in dysfunction to one degree or another but all creation is “good” and “holy.” Our “origin” is “holy.” We were created in “Original Holiness.”
What I choose to believe is my core essence (and yours) is this:
I am holy.
I was holy.
I was always holy.
I know this to be true because Christ loved me into holiness and gave me the presence of the Holy Spirit.
I am called to holiness by Christ himself, who taught, in the words of St. Matthew, to be “perfect as God is perfect.” By transforming the activities and events of my everyday life into holy moments, I will grow in this perfection and the world will more and more resembles God’s Reign.
“Love God with all your heart,” the Scriptures tell me, “with all your soul, with all your understanding, with all your strength. Love one another as Christ loves you.” These commands in Scripture are really an invitation to be holy. By holy love, I nurture in the world a way of life that is more gentle, more beautiful, more human.
Over and over again, the Scriptures describe what this holiness will resemble: a heart of mercy, humility, meekness, patience, awareness of God’s mercy when I have sinned, and a spirit of forgiveness toward others.
There are many ways for me to live out this call to be holy. I should walk according to my own personal gifts and duties, in the pathway of a living faith. I am to model my life after the apostles, who worked tirelessly for the Gospel. In my sufferings of this life, I am to find holiness in my special relationship with Christ who suffered.
Love is the principal way to holiness. Beyond that and included within it are the sacraments, prayer, the Eucharist, self-sacrifice, service to others, and virtue lived every day. As a faithful imitator of Christ, I am invited to strive for holiness, even perfection.
I pray to hear deeply God’s call within me, observant and appreciative of life’s unique treasures. Let neither the use of things of this world nor attachment to riches hinder me in my quest for perfect love.
This post is the first of a series of short essays titled, The Courage to Be. The core of this particular essay comes from chapter 5 of “Christ is the Light of the Nations” (Lumen Gentium). The source text is rewritten in first person.
The butterfly is considered a Christian symbol for resurrection (new life).
