Do
you remember a time when male fashion was inspired by prison attire? The
sagging pants was supposedly worn to reveal one’s undergarment at best or one’s
crack in the derrière at worse. At one time, some of our youths were also
spotting this fashion. The need to blaze a fashion trail so as to stand out
from the mediocre masses is understandable but in the end, the need to be
different resulted in everyone sporting an exposed rear!
A famous 19th century French diplomat to the USA, Alexis de Tocqueville observing American democracy, remarked that individualism is ironically conforming. We have an innate or inborn desire to stand out and be an individual and yet, the paths we forge appear to be just like everyone’s else. Furthermore, he noted that to be different or to be an individual requires one to break free of imposed restrictions but eventually, one grows tired. What does it mean to be free and not be constrained by traditions? The reality is that after a while it becomes meaningless unless we have the very people whom we have rejected affirming us in our decision. If you are “free” and nobody notices you, what does it mean? Perhaps you understand the allure of Facebook or Twitter. These social media massage the loneliness of our individualism by affirming our choice to be different. If no one likes your posting, does it not feel pointless and lonely? The modern desire to stand out alone is predicated on the support provided by the undifferentiated masses. True individuality is “silent” because to say “I don’t need you” is really to assert the contrary. Meaning? I actually need you so that I may be able to voice aloud, “I don’t need you”.
Our aspiration for individuality comes from a place of incompletion. It is God-given but it not an imperfection. Rather it is analogous to a homing device searching for fulfilment. Hence, there is a built-in loneliness that is implied by the drive for individuality and the readings today challenge individualism’s fear of loneliness. Firstly, the prophet stands alone against the accepted wisdom of the “wise”. Jerusalem was under siege by the Babylonian and somehow Jeremiah counselled surrender rather than fight in order to protect the city from destruction. He was opposed by the majority and he ended up suffering for his belief. It is hard to speak against conventional wisdom and one who can see more, will somehow have to pay the price of enlightenment. Secondly, how does reconcile Jesus as the Prince of Peace and the fate of those who choose to follow Him. Apparently the Prince of Peace is also the harbinger of divisive discord. What does it mean then to be a follower of Jesus if the result of loyalty is broken relationships? There appears to be a thread of commonality between the First Reading and the Gospel in that the path of the prophet leads to suffering as will those who choose to follow Jesus. Now, who in the right frame of mind wants this as a reward?
It is natural to be afraid but apparently, the answer is also found in our individualism. But, with a twist. The misguided individualism that we crave actually requires that Christ comes down from the Cross. This individuality is at home with a Jesus who carries us when we are down but never challenges us in our comfort. However, the foundation of difference which we try so hard to establish is not to be found in a Jesus we fake. Firstly, it is not even found within us. Remember how Whitney Houston sang that the greatest love of all is inside of her? Sadly, that greatest love did not prevent her untimely death or even the death of her daughter. Secondly, this so-called basis of our individuality is not even found without as we realise how frighteningly lonely it is to depend on others to affirm us. When no one likes your posting and no traffic passes your blog, it can feel pretty lonely in cyberspace.
The difference from the masses that grants us individuality is to be established only in God. Jesus stood in the waters of the Jordan and a voice was heard coming from heaven: “This is my Son, the beloved”. Thus, Jesus was right about Him being the cause of division. He charts a path which takes us away from the conforming crowd. To stand out in a world that wants to fit in, we need to follow Him and find our peace in Him. That is where we will pay the price. It is not so much as we want to suffer or we want to be against the world but the price for our righteousness will require that we stand out on principles.
To be a fashion setter is relatively easy. But, try being good or try being a just person. Try to be truthful for a change. These qualities stand us in our stead as followers of Jesus. Once you put on these qualities, you will soon face a world aligned against you because you do not submit to the approved strand of the reigning narrative. Let me illustrate how powerful this unspoken ideology is. Here, I am not agreeing with President Trump in what he says or does but to note how, rightly or wrongly, that he has the audacity to stand apart, again rightly or wrongly, from the received tradition of liberalism and when he does, the mainstream media are systematically arrayed against him. Without Trump, comedians will die from starvation. Of course, there are sycophantic voices backing Trump but the fact is how easily the “mainstream” media jumps at blaming him for anything and everything.
In the same manner, the movie Unplanned which detailed the conversion of an abortionist has been characterised by Wikipedia as “factually incorrect anti-abortion propaganda”. It had limited release and virtually no access to advertising. It was described as “a wrong way to right some wrongs” by a website and “a gory mess” by a newspaper. Again, Unplanned is an example of the reigning strand of wisdom that demands our fealty.
If these examples are too far away, closer to home, if you dare speak against the locus communis, that is, the kosher party-line that “balance” or “equality” is to be tilted, all in the name of racial harmony, the reprisal will be swift. And you will be forced to apologise etc.
Try to do the right thing according to what is right and not what you think is right and you will be hated. However, the right thing is never about me but rather something far greater than me. The same Tocqueville said this about America and I think it opens a vista for us to consider how one can be an “individual”. It is a long quote but it is worth pondering upon.
“I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbours and her ample rivers – and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce – and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution – and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.
To be an individual is to be great in goodness. This will make us stand out because the world, as it is, struggles to apprehend the meaning of goodness. However, a slogan which is a homophonic play of words might be helpful here. You would have heard of “No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace”. Jesus is truly the Prince of Peace and the peace we want is based on knowing Him. To truly know Him is to experience peace; a peace which allows one to undergo the suffering that comes from following Him. Once you have known Jesus, there is no taking away the peace you have from following Him, no matter where He goes. He is the true fulfilment of the individuality that we crave. In Him alone, can we find what we are truly searching for—the individuality prized by a craven world.
A famous 19th century French diplomat to the USA, Alexis de Tocqueville observing American democracy, remarked that individualism is ironically conforming. We have an innate or inborn desire to stand out and be an individual and yet, the paths we forge appear to be just like everyone’s else. Furthermore, he noted that to be different or to be an individual requires one to break free of imposed restrictions but eventually, one grows tired. What does it mean to be free and not be constrained by traditions? The reality is that after a while it becomes meaningless unless we have the very people whom we have rejected affirming us in our decision. If you are “free” and nobody notices you, what does it mean? Perhaps you understand the allure of Facebook or Twitter. These social media massage the loneliness of our individualism by affirming our choice to be different. If no one likes your posting, does it not feel pointless and lonely? The modern desire to stand out alone is predicated on the support provided by the undifferentiated masses. True individuality is “silent” because to say “I don’t need you” is really to assert the contrary. Meaning? I actually need you so that I may be able to voice aloud, “I don’t need you”.
Our aspiration for individuality comes from a place of incompletion. It is God-given but it not an imperfection. Rather it is analogous to a homing device searching for fulfilment. Hence, there is a built-in loneliness that is implied by the drive for individuality and the readings today challenge individualism’s fear of loneliness. Firstly, the prophet stands alone against the accepted wisdom of the “wise”. Jerusalem was under siege by the Babylonian and somehow Jeremiah counselled surrender rather than fight in order to protect the city from destruction. He was opposed by the majority and he ended up suffering for his belief. It is hard to speak against conventional wisdom and one who can see more, will somehow have to pay the price of enlightenment. Secondly, how does reconcile Jesus as the Prince of Peace and the fate of those who choose to follow Him. Apparently the Prince of Peace is also the harbinger of divisive discord. What does it mean then to be a follower of Jesus if the result of loyalty is broken relationships? There appears to be a thread of commonality between the First Reading and the Gospel in that the path of the prophet leads to suffering as will those who choose to follow Jesus. Now, who in the right frame of mind wants this as a reward?
It is natural to be afraid but apparently, the answer is also found in our individualism. But, with a twist. The misguided individualism that we crave actually requires that Christ comes down from the Cross. This individuality is at home with a Jesus who carries us when we are down but never challenges us in our comfort. However, the foundation of difference which we try so hard to establish is not to be found in a Jesus we fake. Firstly, it is not even found within us. Remember how Whitney Houston sang that the greatest love of all is inside of her? Sadly, that greatest love did not prevent her untimely death or even the death of her daughter. Secondly, this so-called basis of our individuality is not even found without as we realise how frighteningly lonely it is to depend on others to affirm us. When no one likes your posting and no traffic passes your blog, it can feel pretty lonely in cyberspace.
The difference from the masses that grants us individuality is to be established only in God. Jesus stood in the waters of the Jordan and a voice was heard coming from heaven: “This is my Son, the beloved”. Thus, Jesus was right about Him being the cause of division. He charts a path which takes us away from the conforming crowd. To stand out in a world that wants to fit in, we need to follow Him and find our peace in Him. That is where we will pay the price. It is not so much as we want to suffer or we want to be against the world but the price for our righteousness will require that we stand out on principles.
To be a fashion setter is relatively easy. But, try being good or try being a just person. Try to be truthful for a change. These qualities stand us in our stead as followers of Jesus. Once you put on these qualities, you will soon face a world aligned against you because you do not submit to the approved strand of the reigning narrative. Let me illustrate how powerful this unspoken ideology is. Here, I am not agreeing with President Trump in what he says or does but to note how, rightly or wrongly, that he has the audacity to stand apart, again rightly or wrongly, from the received tradition of liberalism and when he does, the mainstream media are systematically arrayed against him. Without Trump, comedians will die from starvation. Of course, there are sycophantic voices backing Trump but the fact is how easily the “mainstream” media jumps at blaming him for anything and everything.
In the same manner, the movie Unplanned which detailed the conversion of an abortionist has been characterised by Wikipedia as “factually incorrect anti-abortion propaganda”. It had limited release and virtually no access to advertising. It was described as “a wrong way to right some wrongs” by a website and “a gory mess” by a newspaper. Again, Unplanned is an example of the reigning strand of wisdom that demands our fealty.
If these examples are too far away, closer to home, if you dare speak against the locus communis, that is, the kosher party-line that “balance” or “equality” is to be tilted, all in the name of racial harmony, the reprisal will be swift. And you will be forced to apologise etc.
Try to do the right thing according to what is right and not what you think is right and you will be hated. However, the right thing is never about me but rather something far greater than me. The same Tocqueville said this about America and I think it opens a vista for us to consider how one can be an “individual”. It is a long quote but it is worth pondering upon.
“I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbours and her ample rivers – and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce – and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution – and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.
To be an individual is to be great in goodness. This will make us stand out because the world, as it is, struggles to apprehend the meaning of goodness. However, a slogan which is a homophonic play of words might be helpful here. You would have heard of “No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace”. Jesus is truly the Prince of Peace and the peace we want is based on knowing Him. To truly know Him is to experience peace; a peace which allows one to undergo the suffering that comes from following Him. Once you have known Jesus, there is no taking away the peace you have from following Him, no matter where He goes. He is the true fulfilment of the individuality that we crave. In Him alone, can we find what we are truly searching for—the individuality prized by a craven world.
