Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent

Psychological narcissism does what Christ expressly says he does not do, namely, glorify himself. Instead, he explains, it is my Father who glorifies me. This is a reminder that even if we are not overtly narcissistic we may still find ourselves looking to others for approval, affirmation, and a sense of self-worth. And whereas this is preferable to narcissistic self-glorification, it is still an inadequate foundation for coming into possession of who we truly are. For, in chapter five of this same gospel Jesus asks, how can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God. Being glorified (as was Christ) and praised by our heavenly Father is the wondrous gift of true humility that characterizes the human heart totally surrendered and open to God’s love and mercy. As this Lenten Season draws to a close let us cease looking in all the wrong places for glory and praise and self-validation. The one who humbled himself even to accepting death on a cross points us to the one abiding source of that inner peace that comes from being finally at home with ourselves, confident and assured of our inestimable worth in the eyes and heart of the One who created us and who holds us eternally in his unfailing love.