[1]Have you ever
noticed that your morning mirror never lies about what it sees? How it never
judges the reflection? It just reflects back what it sees. It is we who judge
the image. It is we who attempt to adjust the image according to our desire.
During facilitator training I learned the
phrase that I was to “be in the group
but not of the group.” Which meant while I am the facilitator of a group, my goal
is to be a mirror of truth for those in the group. To give the group members an
opportunity to see themselves unfiltered, to see their authentic self through
others. The challenge is always to build trust through honest feedback while
maintaining the dignity of each person.
Paul is writing to remind the people about
what they already know, that God has called him to be an apostle to the
gentiles. He is being a mirror to the community, so they can see the Christ in
him and he proclaims the fruit this reflection is the conversion of the
gentiles. We need to remember, for Paul to get to this position, he had to be
knocked off his horse, blind for a time, and be formed by the very people he
was persecuting. They were the mirror that allowed Paul to see and embrace
Christ as well as his mission.
The steward in today’s Gospel attempted a
more convenient route, envisioning a life of ease after he manipulated the debts owed to his master. The
beneficiaries of the manipulation, however, would be very unlikely to put a
great deal of trust in that steward as they’d be wondering when he might betray
them. Someone who betrays one side in a conflict may enjoy a temporary reward,
but the second set of masters is unlikely ever to fully trust the betrayer.[2]
You see the mirror works both ways. For others to see themselves and for us to
see our true selves.
The Gospel Acclamation tell us, “Whoever keeps the word of Christ, the love of God
is truly perfected in him.” (1 Jn 2:5) As his disciples,
we are told to “be in the world
but not of the world.” Meaning to be a mirror for others in our everyday lives.
How do we become the purist mirror for others? First, we must look into the
morning mirror to take a full accounting
of our stewardship. Yes, the stewardship of our physical resources, but also
our human and spiritual gifts. Too often our pious words and actions, are facades,
costumes, or masks we wear, in an attempt, to disguise or hide our brokenness. Looking
deeply enough into a trusted mirror of another, we can discover, acknowledge,
and make an informed decision to reconcile our own image. Thus, purifying the image,
we reflect back to others.
As we prepare to enter into this mystery, to receive the very image we are called to be. The image of total self-giving, an image of compassion, love, and mercy. Let’s ask ourselves am I a morning mirror another person can look into that provides feedback, without judgment or manipulation, so they may see themselves as a beloved child of God, able to make an informed decision to reconcile themselves with what they see in the morning mirror?
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