We find a model of authenticity in the life and ministry of Jesus. Wherever he went, Jesus attracted people because there was something trustworthy about him, something in his manner and message that touched people’s hearts. We are called to be authentic whatever our state in life. We need to know who we are and to be that perfectly well. One way to achieve this goal is found in the “power of purpose.”
In his book The Power of Purpose, Richard Leider wrote: “Purpose is that deepest dimension within us—our central core or essence—where we have profound sense of who we are, where we came from, and where we’re going. Purpose is the quality we choose to shape our lives around. Purpose is a source of energy and direction” (p. 1). Indeed, when life becomes most challenging, we need a sense of meaning and purpose to provide us with the energy and direction that can help us sustain ourselves. But, what can provide us with the sense of purpose we need?
One primary source of purpose is service to others that is driven by an altruistic spirit. For those who might question the realism of prescribing altruistic service as a valuable source of finding meaningful purpose in our seemingly self-centered world, a creative perspective on the subject was proposed years ago. The well-known author Hans Seyle, in his classic writings on human stress, coined the term “altruistic egoism.” Seyle argued that by helping others (altruism) and “earning their love” while at the same time recognizing our own needs and enhancing ourselves (egoism) we can enjoy a rewarding lifestyle, free of disabling stress. Consequently, according to Seyle, it is only through marrying this “self-centered: nature with altruistic efforts to win the goodwill of others, that a happy meaningful life will result. Get out of yourself! The best way to do this is find some concrete ways to give my time to help others in need. In other words, how can I serve others with my time and talent, not just my treasure? However, Francis de Sales tells us that before we can give ourselves to others, we ought to take the time to Be Still.
In the Salesian tradition, the spiritual life takes the inside-out approach. For DeSales, time every day for quiet is essential if we are to attend to what is going on inside effectively. Silence is not equated to the absence of noise, though it presumes so. Silence is rather an inner space for heart-to-heart communing with God, often possible even in the midst of simple and psychically undemanding chores.
Silence can help us become centered, calm, introspective, and perhaps even wise. It offers us a valuable treasure – it provides the opportunity for us to listen to ourselves. The opportunities for this kind of presence to God in silence are more frequent than we perhaps realize. How about those times we are waiting in line at a store? What about those few moments after lunch and before the afternoon routine begins? What about the drive to and from work? Silence can help us become centered, calm, introspective, and perhaps even wise.
When we speak it is difficult to learn more than we already know. But when we silently listen to what others have to say, whole new worlds are available to us. We can begin to understand things from the perspectives of others, and we can have access to what they know that we don’t. As we listen to the concerns and opinions of others, we are freed, for a time, from worrying about our own self-focused problems and we can learn about what it would be like in someone else’s circumstances. Silent listening holds the key to a fuller, more informed, and empathetic experience of life, and then we can authentically serve them.
God be Praise!
Fr. Edward Ogden, OSFS
Parochial Vicar, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish
Glen Mills, PA
