So what does this look like in our context of life in Absarokee or America in general today? I read a posting on a blog on the internet about how we are consumed by the disease or sin of Perfection. People put on this façade of perfection because they are so insecure of who they are, their situation in life; they want to project this aura of success and being perfect, so others will not see the truth of their lives. The insecurity, the real truth is hidden by this façade of Perfection. It takes a lot of psychic energy to maintain this façade. It takes it toll in our ability to be real and active in our participation in life; it takes a toll on relationships which suffer when we are out of the public spotlight; it takes a toll on us when we expend so much energy to live a lie. The façade of Perfection, takes a toll on our being real with the people around us, our ability to be a friend to others. The disease or sin of Perfection is not just pride but self righteousness. We try to make others aware of just how righteous we are. Yes, Jesus calls us to be righteous in our living and our relationships with each other and with God. Jesus will determine just how well we do this in living our call as a followers of Christ.
When I entered seminary, I was determined to do the best that I could do academically. I faced some tough competition from very gifted and bright undergrads. I was bound and determined to show them that this 50 year old seminarian was up to the task. I studied long and hard; I worked to make my papers the best pieces of writing they could be. I worked hard at presenting to the seminary community this façade of a hard working, dedicated student, striving to be the best seminarian. Yes, it is one thing to work hard be diligent in my studies. It is quite another to consciously make the effort to prove just how diligent and dedicated I was in my demeanor and attitude. At seminary our faith is being formed, we are engaged in a process of change, as we study to become a pastor. The process is faith formation and not Perfection. This faith formation is a process you cannot fake. I had to surrender my vain pride and say to myself that I was just a struggling student like anyone else, a sinner of God’s redeeming. When I could do that, then I could really be engaged in my faith formation.
A former professor at Gettysburg told me this parable to illustrate this. There was a man who spent much time and treasure in therapy with psychologists. He felt he had an inferiority complex. Many years and many therapists came and went and he still suffered with this inferiority complex. He was referred to a therapist and he went in for a session and explained just how this inferiority complex complicated his life. The therapist listened attentively and at the end of the session he leaned over to the patient and said to him: “You don’t have an inferiority complex, you are inferior.” When the patient heard this and understood just how this is true, he then honesty live his life.
The times when we behave like the self righteous pharisee, trying to convince ourselves, others and God that the façade is who we are, relationship is broken. When we finally decide the maintenance of the façade is not worth it and we give it up, we become like the tax collector. We can admit to ourselves, our friends and to God, who we really are. We can be real genuine, honest in who we are; we can be in relation ship with each other and with God. The tax collector wants to experience God’s grace, love and mercy. We all want to share such an experience. When we give up our pretense, when we tear down the façade and let go and accept who we are, God’s grace can come into our lives. When we let go and give ourselves to God, we experience God’s grace in our lives we build our relationship with God; when we offer grace, mercy, forgiveness to others we build our relationships with each other. Is it easy to chuck the pretense, destroy the façade - No, it is hard honest work. But the results are so much more rewarding. Instead of looking for friends, Jesus calls for us to be a friend, just be who we are - sinners caring for sinners. Amen
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