Fame

The story is told about a man who underwent a double hip surgery by a famous surgeon. The operation was successful. When the hip surgeon emerged from the operating room, the medical staff congratulated him chanting: “Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!”

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In today’s Gospel (Mark 1:21-28) we hear how the people were amazed with Jesus’ words and works. They were “astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority.” Furthermore, “He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” The end of today’s Gospel reads: “His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.”

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How do we handle fame? Good question to raise, otherwise, fame will handle us. The Lord tells us today to stay grounded, otherwise, we will be hurled into all kinds of storms that come from unbridled and vain fame.

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FROM ABOVE. Whatever fame or popularity we have must be acknowledged as coming from above. If we think or begin to entertain the thought that our fame is all about ourselves, coming from our own effort and resources, we can become disillusioned, selfish, shallow, and proud. All we are, all we have, is from the Lord, and all our so-called “achievements” were made possible by God’s grace and provisions.

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ATTACHMENT. Fame is just an attachment to us. In other words, fame does not, and should not define us. Fame is not a permanent attachment. It is something that is acquired and something that can be lost, in an instant. Our market value is not our fame, but our person.

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MISSION. Our fame is not for self-service. Fame should be used to give glory to God and service to other people. Without a sense of mission, a person with fame may end up selfish, arrogant, vain, and proud. Let our light shine. More rightly, let the light of the Lord shine through us, not so much because of us, but even in spite of us.

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EDIFY. Fame is not just for building up ourselves, but for building up, inspiring, and influencing others to become better persons. May we become a light that shows the way, that gives hope, that points to something as Someone greater than ourselves. Let us not build up ourselves. Let us continue to help build up the Kingdom of God, with fame or no fame.

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Fame is not something we seek, but if it is there, let it not blind us to see that fame is from above. It is just an attachment to our person, and we should use it for our mission to glorify God, and to edify other people. Forget your own ranking and rating. Focus on what you are raking for the Lord, your Savior and King.

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Don’t be like the sun that radiates blinding light. Rather, be like the moon that reflects the light of the sun in a mellow way. Focus not so much on those who are following you, as on Him whom you are following. Followers and fans come and go. Here today and gone tomorrow. The Lord remains. Keep your eyes on Him.

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Think about this:

Put “l” in the word “fame” and you have “flame.” Yes, may our hearts be aflame with love, radiating joy, goodness, hope, and love. Without love in our hearts, our fame is empty, vain, and useless in the end.

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“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of Grace, and may the Heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all. Amen” (St. Arnold Janssen, SVD).

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A moment with the Lord: Lord, help us to remember that without love, without You, all fame is useless, empty, and vain. Amen.

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