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Tuesday 19th
Week OT
The Institute
August 11, 2014
NARCISSISM IN OUR
CULTURE +++++++++++++++++++
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It was almost 40 years ago that Christopher
Lasch wrote The Culture of Narcissism
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It was a time before the Internet, Facebook, i-Phones
and reality TV
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He argued in this best seller that social trends
in the 20th century had given rise to a “narcissistic personality structure”
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The culture included a reluctance to make
long-term commitments, a fear of aging, and an almost morbid fascination with
fame & celebrity
Ø
He died in 1994, blissfully unaware, one might
imagine, of Facebook, the Kardashians and “selfies”
Ø
Were he alive today, he would surely say, “I told you so”
NARCISSISM IN THE
GOSPEL +++++++++++++++++++++
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In our Gospel reading we get a whiff of narcissism
in the disciples’ seemingly innocent question about “the greatest”
Ø
Mt softens Mk’s version of this scene by having
them tactfully say “in the kingdom,” that is, not here, not us
Ø
Jesus seems to understand their true motivation,
for he says, in effect, “So you want to
be great? Here’s how”
Ø
A tough lesson in humility follows
NARCISSISM AND ME ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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My guess is that if Jesus reappeared today, many
people would try to get a “selfie” with him, followed, no doubt, by a
self-serving post: “Here’s me with the Savior!”
Ø
Pope Francis good naturedly allows selfies, but
he often reminds us that, as Christians, we’re called to rub elbows not with
celebrities, but with the lost and the lowly
Ø
In his own earthy way, he has said that
shepherds or disciples will have the smell of the sheep on them
CONCLUSION
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Here’s a picture post that Francis might prefer:
“Hey, that me with the homeless guy I’m
helping”
Ø
Who’s in my life today that I need to be there
for?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
