iWorship

 

ONE of the giants of our time whose head has grown extraordinarily large is narcissism. In a word, it is self-absorption. One could even argue that this has now become self-worship, or what I call “iWorship.”

St. Paul gives a long list of what souls will look like in the “last days.” Guess what is at the top?

There will be terrifying times in the last days. People will be self-centered and lovers of money, proud, haughty, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful… (2 Tim 3:1-2)

Partly due to the advances of technology, the hedonistic climate in our times has rapidly fostered narcissism in nearly every facet of life. I believe it was Plato who said, “If you want to test the spiritual temperature of a nation, and individual, look to the music.” If narcissism is the tone of today’s culture, could the music scene be any more about self-glorification than it is now? Likewise, professional sports has become a circus of outrageous salaries and inflated egos. Television programs from “American Idol” to “reality shows” are the height of putting oneself on top of the world. And now the average person has a platform by which to post vain “selfies”, rambling YouTube videos, tweet one’s every thought, or pile up “likes” on Facebook.

Today’s first reading reveals this ancient spirit of narcissism in Saul. He couldn’t stand David’s success in battle, even though it benefited everyone, as Jonathan reminded him: “he has helped you very much by his deeds.” It happens within ministries too that Christians become jealous of another’s apparent success, especially manifest when charisms and gifts are strong, dwarfing one’s own gifts.

How many wars take place within the people of God and in our different communities… caused by envy and jealousy, even among Christians! Spiritual worldliness leads some Christians to war with other Christians who stand in the way of their quest for power, prestige, pleasure and economic security. —POPE FRANCIS, Evangelii Gaudium, n. 98

The antidote to narcissism is hiddenness. Our Blessed Mother is the icon of hiddenness who, despite her incredible relationship to Jesus, never sought the limelight. Because of her humility, God exalted her; yet even now, she continues to use her supernatural status to serve her Son. And we can’t help but note that in today’s Gospel, Jesus was not seeking the crowds, but “withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.” It was the Father’s will that He be found so as to cure and minister to the people. The Father exalts in order to glorify the Son, and the Son humbles Himself to exalt the Father.

What God asks of us is our “yes.” Then, we must leave it up to Him as to how and when, going where He sends us—into the throngs—or into a hidden life whose fruitfulness will only be fully known in eternity. What is certain is that the crown bestowed in Heaven will not be based on our popularity here on earth, but our faithfulness.

Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven… Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matt 18:4; 23:12)

Christians must slay the giant of narcissism, competitiveness, and jealousy among ourselves by first dealing within ourselves. For Jesus said that the world will know we are His disciples by our love for one another—not by our image, prestige, knowledge, or position. We have to renounce the fleeting praise of this world and seek to please the only One who matters.

How beautiful our Church would become if every Christian would incarnate the Litany of Humility… of hiddenness.

Litany of Humility

by Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val
(1865-1930),
Secretary of State for Pope Saint Pius X

 

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.

     
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I,


Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be chosen and I set aside,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be praised and I unnoticed,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be preferred to me in everything,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may become holier than I,
provided that I may become as holy as I should,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.