Fidelity in a Challenging World: Self-emptying
What if I come from a place of disillusionment? When I realize that my value is still based on worldly outputs and expectations..branded objects, sales and profits... Life is ruled by gain (sadly) even at the expense of other people. Welcome to the rat race! The short retreat we had was an invitation to reflect on our own eclipses... The Recollection master, Fr. Bob Buenconsejo, SJ highlighted the three important figures of Advent through a Deisis triptych : St. John the Baptist, our Blessed Mother Mary and Jesus. I was particularly struck by St. John the Baptist's experience of incompleteness...restlessness...his humility. He was cut off almost immediately from his ministry when Jesus came. What if losing is the way to gain? It hit me deep even if I already knew from studying Theology, why people ignore the Person Who gave Himself up on the cross. He must increase, I must decrease (John 3:30). ...