"A rather succinct and accurate summary of our current malaise is that we live in the age of 'the imperial, autonomous self'” In effect, many if not most people claim an authority, a right, to craft their own reality and live according to their own notions of it. Not so long ago, it was generally accepted that reality was something outside ourselves, something that we had to go out to meet, study, and obey. There was a certain 'is-ness' to things. Conformity with the basic and revealed nature of things produced thriving and the kind of happiness that comes from being in harmony with what fundamentally is.
"Recently however, there has been the ascendency of the notion that reality is what I say it is. The 'soft garments' version of this is, 'That may be true for you, but I see it differently. You live your truth and I will live mine.'"
In a recent commentary, Msgr. Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on some of the consequences of this attitude and on the importance of returning to our roots (with a nod to 2 Timothy 4:2-5).
To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:
Community in Mission: What Ails Us? The Rise of the Imperial, Autonomous Self (14 JUN 26)
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