Jesus warns us against valuing ourselves based on people’s praise for us. The human gaze is clouded because it sees with the ego. The ego defines love based on performance. It doesn’t satisfy the longing of our souls for pure love. Lent is about the love that springs from eternity; it is about being seen by God who sees in secret. God wishes to give us the consolation and assurance we need–but in order to do so we must shut the door on the false stories of consolation. We let God gaze upon us and our seeing gets converted–so that we see our value as beloved.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Faith. Hope. Love. Unity.