YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL

Three mothers were having a contest about whose son is most respected by many. “When people see my son, they call him ‘Your Excellency,’” the first mother who had a bishop son proudly declared. 

The second mother whose son is the Pope seconded, “When people see my son, they exclaim, ‘Your Holiness.’” 

The third mother’s son was a simple lector at their parish Church. He stands 5’8” but weighs 300 pounds. She countered, “When people see my son, they exclaim, “My God!”

We usually utter this expression when we are in awe, wonder or in disbelief. We do so also when we notice a big change or transformation, which can be either good (“My God, you have grown to be such a fine young woman!”) or bad (“My God, what has become of you?”). 

In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus declare, “If anyone comes to me without turning his back…indeed on his very self, he cannot be my follower.” 

This invitation from the Lord has been the subject of many misinterpretations. Christianity has often been branded as a religion of self-hate and self-loathing. 

“If everything that God has created is good (see Genesis 1:31), why do we need to deny this self that God has created?” it is often asked. 

Fr. Raniero Cantamessa, papal preacher at the Vatican, gave a beautiful interpretation of this Christian self-denial. He wrote, “Self-denial is not a denial of who weare but of who we have become.” 

We are originally good and beautiful. But with the use (or misuse) of our freedom, we have become bad and ugly.

Jesus is lamenting, “What has become of your original goodness and beauty?” Jesus’ call to self-denial is not selfhate; rather, He invites us to return to the purity of our origins, to the beauty of who we are deep down. 

Scrape off the layers of dirt, mud and ugliness that unrepented sin has covered you with and you will discover: You are so beautiful! Fr. Joel O. Jason

Reflection Question:

Ponder on this: When you were born, you were crying and people were smiling. Make sure that when you die, you will be smiling (because you have become who God intended you to be) and people will be crying (because they will miss the beauty of who you are).

Lord, give me the courage to go back to my true self — the beautiful “me” that You have created.

St. Charbel, pray for us.

Source: Kerygma Family