CONTRARY to the thinking of many
people, we are actually
meant to always give good example and be models of virtues to others,
taking advantage of whatever platforms and pedestals are available to
us. And with our new technologies, we have very powerful platforms and
pedestals to spread goodness around.
Since we are not only individual persons but also social
beings, always having some relation with others, we cannot avoid
having this duty. It’s actually part of our DNA.
We are not meant to be alone, indifferent and detached
from others, and especially from God. We are meant to live in
communion with others and pumping goodness always to the system, so to
speak.
That’s why Christ expresses it to us very clearly. “You
are the light of the world…Your light must shine before others, that
they may see your good deeds. (Mt 5, 15-16)
We therefore should not be afraid to be in the limelight.
In fact, we have to foster a holy desire to be there. Our
understanding of humility and that delicadeza of passing unnoticed
should not exclude this need for us to give good example and be models
of virtues for everyone to see and to hopefully be edified.
As Christ himself says, “A city set on a mountain cannot
be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel
basket. It is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the
house.” (Mt 5,15)
Obviously we have to do it properly and with the right
intention. And that’s because we also are not lacking of people
wanting to be in the limelight for the wrong reasons. They are there
to show off their vanity and frivolity, and to act out their pride,
greed, envy, etc. Instead of sowing good things, they are spreading
their unfortunate motives to others.
Thus, Christ says, “Your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
(Mt 5,16) It should always be God who is the motive, pattern and end
for any effort of ours to give example and be models to others.
Nothing should replace God in this.
Reiterating the same idea, Christ in another part of the
gospel tells us to be so identified with God through him in the Holy
Spirit that anyone who sees and hears us can see and hear God also.
This is a point on which to examine ourselves constantly.
This is actually how things should be. We are nothing
without him. We should be ashamed to simply show ourselves off,
regardless of how gifted we are intellectually or physically. Sad to
say, we have a glut of these cases around.
In this regard, we have to be most wary of a very subtle
danger than can sneak into us, no doubt a very insidious trick of the
devil who is always bent to mislead us. This is when in our holy
desire to be a good example and model to others, we fall into a spirit
of triumphalism, a holier-than-thou attitude, and a self-righteous
outlook.
This happens when we become unduly intolerant and
impatient with others when we see their defects and mistakes, when we
are full of rash judgments and reckless comments and reactions, when
we develop such an abiding sense of superiority over others that we
would always look down on them, or compare them with us endlessly..
A person who is truly with God understands more than gets
irritated when he sees the defects and mistakes of others. Like God,
he would be slow to anger and quick to forgive. He does not keep
grudges or resentment towards anyone. If he has to take note of the
mistakes, it is for the sake of prudence and of helping, and not
anything else.
He is always aware that the defects and mistakes others
have and commit could also be his. He knows he, like anybody else, has
feet of clay, and therefore is always on guard and understanding
towards others.
He would always remember that it is practically because of
the sins of men that God became men and went through the complicated
process of saving us. And so he reflects this attitude in his actions.
This person would know how to be noticed by others without
grabbing attention and credit to himself. When people praise and thank
him, he automatically transmits these to God to whom they duly belong.
But he would continue to give good example and be models of virtues to
others.
meant to always give good example and be models of virtues to others,
taking advantage of whatever platforms and pedestals are available to
us. And with our new technologies, we have very powerful platforms and
pedestals to spread goodness around.
Since we are not only individual persons but also social
beings, always having some relation with others, we cannot avoid
having this duty. It’s actually part of our DNA.
We are not meant to be alone, indifferent and detached
from others, and especially from God. We are meant to live in
communion with others and pumping goodness always to the system, so to
speak.
That’s why Christ expresses it to us very clearly. “You
are the light of the world…Your light must shine before others, that
they may see your good deeds. (Mt 5, 15-16)
We therefore should not be afraid to be in the limelight.
In fact, we have to foster a holy desire to be there. Our
understanding of humility and that delicadeza of passing unnoticed
should not exclude this need for us to give good example and be models
of virtues for everyone to see and to hopefully be edified.
As Christ himself says, “A city set on a mountain cannot
be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel
basket. It is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the
house.” (Mt 5,15)
Obviously we have to do it properly and with the right
intention. And that’s because we also are not lacking of people
wanting to be in the limelight for the wrong reasons. They are there
to show off their vanity and frivolity, and to act out their pride,
greed, envy, etc. Instead of sowing good things, they are spreading
their unfortunate motives to others.
Thus, Christ says, “Your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
(Mt 5,16) It should always be God who is the motive, pattern and end
for any effort of ours to give example and be models to others.
Nothing should replace God in this.
Reiterating the same idea, Christ in another part of the
gospel tells us to be so identified with God through him in the Holy
Spirit that anyone who sees and hears us can see and hear God also.
This is a point on which to examine ourselves constantly.
This is actually how things should be. We are nothing
without him. We should be ashamed to simply show ourselves off,
regardless of how gifted we are intellectually or physically. Sad to
say, we have a glut of these cases around.
In this regard, we have to be most wary of a very subtle
danger than can sneak into us, no doubt a very insidious trick of the
devil who is always bent to mislead us. This is when in our holy
desire to be a good example and model to others, we fall into a spirit
of triumphalism, a holier-than-thou attitude, and a self-righteous
outlook.
This happens when we become unduly intolerant and
impatient with others when we see their defects and mistakes, when we
are full of rash judgments and reckless comments and reactions, when
we develop such an abiding sense of superiority over others that we
would always look down on them, or compare them with us endlessly..
A person who is truly with God understands more than gets
irritated when he sees the defects and mistakes of others. Like God,
he would be slow to anger and quick to forgive. He does not keep
grudges or resentment towards anyone. If he has to take note of the
mistakes, it is for the sake of prudence and of helping, and not
anything else.
He is always aware that the defects and mistakes others
have and commit could also be his. He knows he, like anybody else, has
feet of clay, and therefore is always on guard and understanding
towards others.
He would always remember that it is practically because of
the sins of men that God became men and went through the complicated
process of saving us. And so he reflects this attitude in his actions.
This person would know how to be noticed by others without
grabbing attention and credit to himself. When people praise and thank
him, he automatically transmits these to God to whom they duly belong.
But he would continue to give good example and be models of virtues to
others.
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