MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL: July/August 2019

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1Samuel 16:7).

Summer is upon us and soon we will be rushing to the beach or chilling out at the pool! You might even have the opportunity to visit a local carnival or an amusement park with the kids or the grandchildren. I am reminded of a time when I was doing just that not long ago and I noticed a couple of mirrors near the entrance to the arcade! They were a couple of trick mirrors and because of the way in which they were shaped, they made me look warped, making me look either too long at the top or too short on the bottom. When I looked into these mirrors, my eyes and ears seemed to balloon out of pro- portion. I saw myself as extremely skinny (don’t I wish) or overweight (ugh). In my opinion, I don’t look like that, but due the warped mirrors, they made me appear so. It was re- ally amusing. I guess it is a way to keep kids (and big kids) entertained.

I thought about those false images of myself that the mirrors showed and I knew in reality I don’t look like that. Or do I? You see I already have some distorted images of myself that I face every day. There are moments that I feel so inadequate in my job, my role as a husband and father, or even as a mentor as well as living up to the expectations of others (both parishioners and non-parishioners around me). What they see in me is not the same image I see in myself. I see all the physical, emotional and spiritual imperfections and shortcomings in my life. I see myself in a distorted way. This is where my opinion of myself seems to focus...the inadequacies, the flaws, and the cracks of failure. But a warped or twisted self-image I have of myself is no closer to reality than the image reflected by the contorted mirrors in the Arcade.

We all have to constantly remind ourselves that everyone is inadequate and imperfect somehow. We have ears or noses, bellies or bottoms, feet or hands that are too big, too fat or too skinny, and we all have in- adequate trust and faith in God. What we need to remember is that God created each of us. We are all utterly unique by design. The Lord does not see you or me as inadequate or distorted, because all He sees is the potential that He has put within each of us. God does not look at my outward appearance; He looks at my heart, which is the real me. He loves the real me just like any parent loves their son or daughter. God loves the real me, the real us, and He invites us to grow and become more like Him. How do we do this? We do it by trying to live a Christ-centered life, by trying to pray regularly, trying to take some time to read a bit of Scripture and to reflect on it, by trying to fast and feast, and trying to love my neighbor as myself.

For the duration of this busy summer season, let’s try to see ourselves as God sees us. And, we will try to see others as God sees us. I think we need to leave those trick mirrors for the carnivals and amusement parks. It is a much better way to approach life. Let our prayer be simple: Heavenly Father, thank you for making me be who I am. Help me to see myself as you see me. And help me to make the effort to see others for who they are, and not judge them by appearances. Amen.

Have a blessed and safe summer....

Rev Fr Christopher P. Foustoukos, Presiding Priest