What is Good and Popular

(Note: Today’s blog post is written by Rev. Celie Katovitch. Rev. Celie is one of our amazing pastoral team members at Spiritus. Thanks, as always, Rev. Celie for sharing your deep insights and moving reflections with us.)

Every year, when the time comes around to think of something to give up for Lent, one popular option among my circle of friends is giving up social media. Those I know who have done this often report experiencing 6 weeks without Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., as being almost like a cleanse. The body, mind, and emotions breathe a sigh of relief at this chance to detox and re-calibrate after getting sunk in some unhealthy habits. One of the things folks mention most of all is the liberation from monitoring “likes”! It can be an exhausting cycle, to note constantly how many people give the thumbs up to a photo you took or to something you wrote. If you’re like me, you probably already run the risk of caring a little too much about the approval and affirmation of others… and social media can take this human tendency of ours and kick it into hyperdrive, if we’re not careful.

The readings today remind us of something important. There is not always a correlation between what is good, and what is popular.

Some things that are good—whether we’re talking works of art, social movements, news articles, or public figures—also happen to attract a big following. But just as easily, we could point to things that were immensely popular, but that we can now see, with hindsight, were pretty questionable. (Remember the Harlem Shake, anyone? Remember Uggs? Remember the pet rock?… On a more serious note, think of all the authoritarian leaders that have drawn enormous crowds throughout history, and the number of celebrities who, despite their fairly empty lifestyle, have a cult following of fans.)

By the same token, true goodness doesn’t always attract people right away. If only it did. But alas, remember how in his lifetime, Dr. King was one of the most hated men in America. Think of how theologians and mystics like Teilhard de Chardin, Hildegard of Bingen, and Meister Eckhart— spiritual giants whose wisdom we revere in our own day—risked being branded heretics in their own. Van Gogh sold only two paintings during his lifetime, and his work was dismissed as ugly. Toni Morrison’s books were banned. Henry David Thoreau was jailed. W.E.B. DuBois was tried as a traitor, for his anti-nuclear views and his peace activism. For her environmental writing, Rachel Carson was called hysterical, unscientific, out-of-step with the times, and a communist. Time has vindicated her research, her instincts, and her passion.

In this Gospel passage, Jesus’ opponents accuse him of being in league with “Beelzebul” — that is, being an agent of destruction. Sometimes, when you bring a new vision, or agitate for a better society, or work against evil— you’ll be accused of being an evildoer yourself. This is the way of the world. Meantime, some of the most “liked” posts on social media are for things that are negative, hateful, or flat-out untrue. All of this points to why it is SO important to have our practices of listening— a big theme of the first reading from Jeremiah and the Psalm. Only by learning to discern our own inner voice, and God’s voice, can we stay strong in doing what is right, regardless of how popular or unpopular it may be.

Lent is a great time to talk with a spiritual director or trusted mentor; to journal; to pray; to sit in silence. Any practice that lets you listen for the voices that truly matter, is something to embrace in a special way during these weeks.

May God give us all listening hearts!