When was the last time that you were honest, truly honest? How many of us keep holding onto that delusional aspiration of a safe and comfortable relationship built on external smiles, hollow dialogues, and cheesy silence-fillers. Isn’t it obvious that it is destined to fail? How many times are we swayed and dominated by the stupefying fear manifested in the recurrent thought: “What will he/she think of me?” And why is it so difficult to present ourselves openly–without recurring to a variety of masks and camouflages that are so common in our daily interactions– to the other person?
We all tend to cast out towards the others, hoping to find some source of self-affirmation. We look for a reaffirming smile, look of understanding, an encouraging nod. But, what is it that we are really seeking? Do we even know?
We are all seeking acceptance, friendship, and, ultimately, love. In the end, nothing else will satisfy us. It is a desire that permeates everything we do. Unfortunately, the answer to that desire has been advertised as a 99-cent, caffeine-free, no calorie, no sugar, great-tasting beverage that includes free refills. It is supposed to be something pain-free, low-risk, and full of smooth sailing. And we gullibly believe it.
Fr. Leo On Treating People As Products
But, in reality, every authentic relationship requires those tough and uncomfortable honesty moments, those moments when the mask is removed, and the real person comes out into the light. It is a moment of risk when we sacrifice all control over our image and offer our true identity to other people, placing ourselves vulnerably in their hands, knowing that they are free to accept and love or to reject and despise. It is a moment of courage and sacrifice that is absolutely indispensable.
Those who are unwilling to take this step must resign themselves to daily superficiality. They must become chameleons, changing their colors according to the desires they perceive in others. Every gesture, every look, and every laugh is organized and used to reconstruct themselves so as to incarnate the other’s expectations. And while this road might promise an active social life, numerous acquaintances, and plenty of text messages, it is, nevertheless, one of inner loneliness and great sorrow, as one day you must face the fact you sacrificed your true self for a delusion of approval.
Let us then take advantage of today’s video’s message: the only relationship that’s really worth it, is one based on truth. This doesn’t mean, of course, that we must recklessly blurt out all sorts of private information to everyone we know. Rather, between the two extremes of an inflated self-exposure and a lock-tight self-enclosure, we need to live a healthy openness whose ultimate criterion is charity: revealing our own interior, our weaknesses, and our strengths, to those who are adept to receive and to whom such action would be beneficial.
Questions for Dialogue
How many of my relationships are based on the truth? Do I tend to be honest with those around me? Do I tend to demand the same of my friends and loved ones? What fears or defects keep me from being real with others? What do you consider to be a model relationship? Is it one based on the worldly values, or those found in Christ?
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
- How Can We Truly Get To Know The Holy Spirit?
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly 8 Ways The Catholic Church Teaches Us To Get To Know The Holy Spirit Oftentimes, when people think about the Holy Spirit, images like the dove or a flame we learned about in Sunday School come to mind. These are powerful symbols, but they don’t give us a full… Read more: How Can We Truly Get To Know The Holy Spirit? - How To Overcome Distractions In Prayer
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly Growing up, I would hear stories of saints who would spend hours and hours with God in prayer. I would hear about how St. Padre Pio would wake up at 3:30 AM to prepare to celebrate Mass, pray for 2 hours, and how his Mass would last 3 HOURS!… Read more: How To Overcome Distractions In Prayer - Questions Children May Ask About Miscarriage — And Catholic Answers Parents Can Give
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly “Mommy, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” There are some conversations you wish you didn’t have to have with your children. We had just announced our pregnancy 2 short weeks ago. After a traumatic visit to the ER, I lost my baby at 15 weeks. Not only did I… Read more: Questions Children May Ask About Miscarriage — And Catholic Answers Parents Can Give - Beyond the Click: eCatholic and The Catholic University of America on Finding True Fruitfulness in Digital Ministry
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly There is a palpable peace you feel in a well-run parish. When administrative foundations are set in place with care and intention, the noise of the work fades and what remains is a community built on systems that actually support those who serve. Having worked in ministry myself—both as… Read more: Beyond the Click: eCatholic and The Catholic University of America on Finding True Fruitfulness in Digital Ministry - How To Create A Space For Prayer In Your Home
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly “Be still and know that I am God!” – Psalm 46:11 Our homes are meant to be domestic churches. They are places where we live out our faith not only on Sundays, but in the ordinary moments of everyday life. Creating a prayer space in our home can be… Read more: How To Create A Space For Prayer In Your Home
