Grown men arguing who is the greatest! At first it sounds silly, but on reflection it is one of the most important discussions we can have. It is about the real value of my life. How well have I lived it? Did it spoil? What went wrong? How can I make a success of my life? Do I count? Am I worth it? Where am I going? Who cares about me?
These are often agonising questions. People in positions of power often do not experience the agony because power already convinces them that they have made it in life. They have achieved great goals and enjoy great prestige and recognition as truly important people in the drama of the world. Now they are so busy being busy and solving the troubles of others around them that this question of ‘who am I?’ and ‘does my life mean anything?’ seem totally irrelevant.
But if you are just one of the crowd, one of the teeming millions, trying to make your way in this crowded world, these questions occur time and time again. Am I making a success of my life? Do others recognise me as successful? Does anyone take any notice of me? Do I count? In the grand scheme of things what about me?
The issues at stake for all of us here are power, position and prestige. Does my life mean anything? Do I have my own place in the world? Do other people appreciate me in any way? Power, position, prestige – these are the issues. They are not to be despised. They are very important.
In the journey of our life it is important to discover our own personal power of being myself. Not simply someone who pleases others or dances to whatever tune, but to be in charge of myself and therefore a person capable of personal responsibility. To come to that moment in life, where we fully take charge of our own feelings and responses is a wonderful day.
Our position in the world, our place is also vitally important. This concerns our relationships with others and their recognition of where we stand. ‘You’ are important and I see you. I give you your place in the scheme of things.
Prestige is honour and respect, something that belongs to us simply as human beings. Not the fickle features of fame but the genuine homage that one person owes to another. These are the elements of a true life happily lived.
In a child we find all these elements at the very start of life. This new person is a new power in the world. This child occupies its own place in the world and in its loveliness and beauty is to be found its prestige and esteem.
So begin with the child. Remember the child that you once were, the child that you still are, somewhere, there inside yourself. Love and honour that child. Give that child its due. It is you.
Welcome the child
Luke 9:46-50
Grown men arguing who is the greatest! At first it sounds silly, but on reflection it is one of the most important discussions we can have. It is about the real value of my life. How well have I lived it? Did it spoil? What went wrong? How can I make a success of my life? Do I count? Am I worth it? Where am I going? Who cares about me?
These are often agonising questions. People in positions of power often do not experience the agony because power already convinces them that they have made it in life. They have achieved great goals and enjoy great prestige and recognition as truly important people in the drama of the world. Now they are so busy being busy and solving the troubles of others around them that this question of ‘who am I?’ and ‘does my life mean anything?’ seem totally irrelevant.
But if you are just one of the crowd, one of the teeming millions, trying to make your way in this crowded world, these questions occur time and time again. Am I making a success of my life? Do others recognise me as successful? Does anyone take any notice of me? Do I count? In the grand scheme of things what about me?
The issues at stake for all of us here are power, position and prestige. Does my life mean anything? Do I have my own place in the world? Do other people appreciate me in any way? Power, position, prestige – these are the issues. They are not to be despised. They are very important.
In the journey of our life it is important to discover our own personal power of being myself. Not simply someone who pleases others or dances to whatever tune, but to be in charge of myself and therefore a person capable of personal responsibility. To come to that moment in life, where we fully take charge of our own feelings and responses is a wonderful day.
Our position in the world, our place is also vitally important. This concerns our relationships with others and their recognition of where we stand. ‘You’ are important and I see you. I give you your place in the scheme of things.
Prestige is honour and respect, something that belongs to us simply as human beings. Not the fickle features of fame but the genuine homage that one person owes to another. These are the elements of a true life happily lived.
In a child we find all these elements at the very start of life. This new person is a new power in the world. This child occupies its own place in the world and in its loveliness and beauty is to be found its prestige and esteem.
So begin with the child. Remember the child that you once were, the child that you still are, somewhere, there inside yourself. Love and honour that child. Give that child its due. It is you.
Brian Fahy
2 October 2017