Tuesday, February 22, 2011

It's Greek to me...



In Greek mythology Narcissus was a self-absorbed young man who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool. (Caravaggio, 1596)


Father,

We seem hard-wired for personal autonomy and self-fulfillment. You designed the circuit board. I assume that’s your good will for us.

As so often happens, we carry it to extremes. Self-fulfillment becomes self-absorption. Fueled by affluence, it’s the American Way.

...but we have much in common with the first Greeks to follow Jesus.

St. Paul tells the Corinthians:
You are not your own.
You do not belong to yourself.
God owns the whole works.

(from 1st Corinthians 6:19, various translations)

He reminds the Thessalonians:
...live in order to please God.
(from 1st Thessalonians 4:1)

Lord Christ, when we live to satisfy you, we find satisfaction. And we find a sense of autonomy and fulfillment. I have come to understand and believe that. I still have trouble living it.

Holy Spirit, prod me, push me, pull me…bend my self-will toward the Kingdom. Amen.