Religion and spirituality are intended to help people connect with God, others, and all of creation. Yet, they can sometimes fail when we let our egos shape and control our life experiences. Ego can distort not only our understanding but also our relationships with God, others, and the world around us.
When religion and spirituality are driven by ego, people often focus on proving their spiritual superiority to others (and themselves). To maintain this sense of superiority, they may rigidly follow religious rules and engage in visible religious practices. This pursuit of religion or spirituality can ultimately alienate them from their brothers and sisters, and even from God. A spirituality grounded in ego strives for self-elevation and personal glory.
St. Francis of Assisi and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, affectionately known as the Little Flower, embodied a spirituality that emphasized finding God and love in everything, especially in the small, everyday moments of life. They encouraged people to let go of the need to see themselves as "better, greater, or superior," and instead, to embrace humility. As Richard Rohr points out, “What we cannot bear is not being considered good, not appearing good.” True spiritual growth, however, comes from recognizing our imperfections and allowing God's grace to work through them.
Rohr further notes, “Until we discover the ‘little way,’ we almost all try to gain moral high ground by obeying laws and thinking we are spiritually advanced.” But Thérèse taught that “It is sufficient to recognize one’s nothingness and to abandon oneself as a child into God’s arms.” Accepting our own nothingness allows us to connect more deeply with God, others, creation, and ourselves.
Those who follow “the little way”—a path of humility and honesty—are invariably more loving, joyful, and compassionate (Rohr). They find God and love in the simple, small moments of life and live with gratitude for everything. Can we renounce the way of ego and embrace the spirituality of the little way?
Notes,
Rohr, R. (2024, October, 5). Eager to love: Embracing the little way. Center for Action and Contemplation.
Thérèse to P. Roulland (1897, May 9), in General Correspondence, vol. 2, 1094.
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ReplyDeleteLet the little ones come to me, says Jesus. Embrace the little ways 💗
ReplyDeleteIt's true that our ego can become a barrier in experiencing God in our daily life. So much to learn from the Little ways!
ReplyDeleteAmen
ReplyDeleteThank you for the thoughtful reflection
ReplyDeleteAmen, Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you expressed how our ego (unmarried) could be manifested in our spirituality.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the hard work
Not unmarried but immature
DeleteI truly appreciate and believe your last paragraph. It is only when we decrease that He increases. I have found this so very true in my own life. It is what I see in the eyes of others; it is how I can serve my neighbor without a thought of myself. I must never place myself in the equation. Thank you Father for such a timely reflection.
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