Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

   - Philippians 2.3, 4

Let the monks bear in mind that noble God is their Father and holy Church their mother. Let their humility be not merely verbal, but let each one provide for his brother. When, through obedience, they go to carry out their duties, let their spirit be, “This is a heavy task, brother, let me do it.”

   - Anonymous, The Rule of Ailbe, Irish, 8th century

Not long ago a local pop radio station dedicated an entire weekend to playing all the songs ever recorded by the Beatles, in alphabetical order. Being an unreconstructed Beatles fan, I naturally felt obliged to listen in for a bit. 

OK. A lot.

I noted that the most common word in the titles of Beatles’ songs is, “I.” Back in the late ‘70s Christopher Lasch published his Pulitzer-prize winning book, The Culture of Narcissism, in which he reflected on the extent to which (practically total) ours has become a society of every man for himself.

How rare it is, indeed, to encounter someone who seems to have our best interests in mind at least as much as his own. Yet this is the attitude toward others that Christians are called to sustain. As our Lord Jesus considered our needs more significant than His own life, so we are to regard others with that same self-denying love, and make it our business to serve, help, support, or bolster those around us by every means, at every opportunity.

The Christian faith is oriented Godward first, then outward toward others and their needs. As we thus take up our daily journey, embracing the mind of Christ, we will find the Spirit of Christ at work within us, making us willing and able to do whatever the demands of love require (Phil. 2.12, 13).

Begin your day in prayer for the people you will meet each day, and you’ll find it much easier to show them the love of Christ when you are in their presence. What is the defining orientation in your daily life? Is it the “I, Me, Mine” of the Beatles and our narcissistic age, or the “others also” that Jesus exemplified, and to which He calls us?

Psalm 145.18-21 (Brother James’ Air: “The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want”)
Be near to all who call on You; all those who fear You, bless.
Preserve all those whose love is true; save us in our distress.
Our mouths will speak with praise of You; Your holy Name we’ll bless!

 Lord, help me to strive for devotion to You, gentleness to me neighbor, and good will and love to everyone I meet. Adapted from Colmán mac Beógnai, Aipgitir Chrábaid