Adoration Service "SELF IMAGE"

 

Adoration Service 

 "SELF IMAGE"

        Fathers and Brothers, the theme of today's Adoration Service is "SELF IMAGE".

        We Diocesians are called to be "Shepherds of young people" and "Signs bearers of God's love". Before we commit ourselves to such a mission it good to ask and examine ourselves whether, we have really built that image not. Our preoccupation is that of the Good Shepherd and our focus is on people. But if we have a very poor image of ourselves we will not be to help young people. Here, our mission will contradict our lives. Now shall listen to the story of a poor beggar Chandrakant. Real self is what in reality, objectively I am. It is the sum total all qualities, talents, capabilities and strengths I really have, whether am aware of them or not. The image I have of myself is what I think I am or I possess. It's not what I am but I see or perceive myself as. It is impossible to perceive all our potential, all our talents and . Most of us become aware of only a minute part of them. The larger of our strengths remains unknown to us. What we know of our good points qualities is only the tip of the iceberg. family, parents, close family members, teachers, neighbors, , and superiors play very great role to shape our original self. But our self image is reinforced and stabilized. Remember Chandrakant's case: Everything and everyone around him reinforced his beggarly self image. thought he was a beggar. The passersby, the shopkeeper, people on the road, his clothes, his very begging bowl, his environment kept on telling him, "You are a beggar, you are poor and despicable". In this way his poor self image being reinforced and stabilized. Likewise with us too.... But, we know poor self-image leads to poor thoughts and images of ourselves. Now the arises  How can we improve and change our self image? Is possible but not easy! Of course, courage and determination and faith in oneself is necessary. We should avoid our negative self. And let us try to find out the principles that rule our lives. It is but not easy. So, we can't depend fully on ourselves. We need to be on God. As psalms 139 declares that God knows us and our whole . Thus God himself gives us courage and He says know you. 

I created you.

 I am creating you. 

I have loved you from yours's womb. 

I accept you as you are. 

I know all your sufferings.

I have always known them. 

I also know all of the little tricks by which you try to hide the ugliness you have made of your life from yourself and others. But you are beautiful. You are beautiful more deeply within than you can see. 

You are beautiful also because I and I alone see the beauty you shall become. Through the transforming power of my love you shall become what you are. 

You shall become perfectly beautiful in a uniquely replaceable way, which neither you nor I will work out alone.

For we shall work it out together. Reading anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, is like a man who his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself and goes away at once forgets what he was like.is the BRIGHTNESS of eternal glory, the SPLENDOR of eternal , the mirror without spot. Into that mirror daily, and ever study therein your countenance, within and without you may adorn yourself with all manner of virtues, and clothe yourself with the flowers and garments that become the disciple of the high king. In that mirror are reflected poverty, holy humility and charity, as with the grace of God, you may perceive.