Selfie Addiction?
Are you a selfie person?
Do not boast about wearing fine clothes, and do not exalt yourself when you are honored; for the works of the Lord are wonderful, and his works are concealed from humankind. - Sirach 11:4
In today's wisdom reading, Sirach seems to be talking about all of us who are addicted to self-exaltation. Imagine if he was alive today and had his own Facebook or Instagram account!
We are living in an age of "Look at me!" and I guess if people are interested in all the places I visit each day, they would continue to follow me, but do they want to see my smiling face in every photo?
I don't mean to sound judgmental, but I don't get the whole fascination with self. That said, I could fall into a similar trap when I post all the wonderful things I do in service to God.
As Sirach tells us, God conceals good works from the world, and I assume God wants us to do the same.
It is not for glory and acclaim that I do these things, but let me share them with you anyway?
Perhaps I am looking at this all wrong. It could be that the selfie addiction is not an addiction at all, but a clever marketing ploy.
If I show you pictures of how much fun I am having doing marvelous things, you will want to do them too.
That sounds plausible, doesn't it? So maybe I should look at all the selfies taken by my fellow deacons and other clergy with less of a jaundiced eye. It is not about ego and pride or self-exaltation at all, but about motivating others.
Why couldn't I see that before?
Maybe I should go out and buy one of those selfie sticks and join the party?
On second thought, I just wouldn't feel right. I will just let others take the photos and if I happen to be in one or two, well then I will gladly accept being tagged.
The world will be a much better place without my mug plastered all over it. Trust me.
More to come...