Knowledge of Self: Day Three

Image by JL G from Pixabay

Day fifteen at Fish Eaters.

Day fifteen at The Catholic Company.

Part of today's reading comes from the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus stresses the need for repentance.

At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did."

The Greek word translated into "repent" is metanoia.  The literal translation would be "after mind." It suggests conversion, and it seems clear to me that Christ expresses a need to change. Hopefully, no one is so prideful that he cannot admit the need to change.

"Sinner to Saint" by Bob, a reproduction of a stick figure drawing by his college professor as part of an explanation about virtue ethics (labels added by Bob)

The figure above describes the situation. Everyone should identify themselves where they are at present (hint: the stick figure to the left, labeled "sinner"). The need for change should now be obvious for the visually minded. Another note: everyone, who is not God, should realize they need help. That help comes from God or those God has sent to help (ultimately, all help comes from God). This is important self-knowledge: the need to change and the need for help.

Additional reading comes from True Devotion by St. Louis de Montfort. This reading stresses two points: the emptying of self, and the dying to self. We die to ourselves so we can empty ourselves of ourselves so that ultimately we can be filled with God, Who is love. Unless we follow Christ, bear our crosses, and die to self on the cross with Christ, we will not bear fruit: "If the grain of corn falling on the earth does not die, it remains earth, and brings forth no good fruit."

This dying to self is an interior battle, which seems to me to differ from individual to individual. We are all broken in various ways. I only know that this is a hard battle, so there is no sense in delaying any further. We're like downing people who are wildly thrashing about for air, dealing with primitive forces (like the drive for life) so extreme, that we would try to climb on top of the person trying to save us (which is not a rational thing, since it makes it harder for the rescuer).

May peace be with you. Let Mary hold your hand.