A Fool for Christ?

by Larry Fraher, Ph.D., Director of Faith Formation & Education  |  02/16/2023  |  Images of Faith

We all have priorities in life. Roughly defined, a priority is a belief or action that takes precedence over other beliefs or actions. As we grow and learn through our lives, we learn what priorities are held in our communities, our families, and ultimately, which ones we are to adopt in the living of our individual lives. The power of priorities helps us to clarify the choices we must make to define how we conduct our lives. For the most part, most of us have adopted the priorities established in the culture and society in which we live. Accordingly, some follow the paths of success determined by the definitions of such priorities, attempting to become living exemplars of these values.

Today’s readings call us to different priorities. Such priorities shift from a sense of cultural success to relational mercy. We are instructed to let go of grudges and hatred; to relinquish personal affiliations and schools of thought; turn the other cheek; go the extra mile; love our enemies. How foolish does God think we are?

This is exactly the point: St. Paul defines such “upside-down” thinking in Christ as foolishness in the eyes of the world. The priorities of God are not the priorities of humanity. By immersing one’s being in God, we may just turn the priorities of the world upside down and begin to see and work in the world through a framework of love. Today’s readings remind us that the Christian’s call and life’s work are to undermine the structures of this world with the grace-filled structures of the love of God. While we strive to become living examples of Christ’s love in our world, we might be perceived as foolish, or as fools for Christ.

Do not worry, nor fear, for those who choose such foolishness are called Saints. To become a fool for Christ is to put the power and structure of God’s love ahead of everything. Doing so will often cause us to be persecuted, laughed at, or considered naïve in the secular culture. Yet when this happens, we can recall the Beatitudes from the Gospel a few weeks ago: “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.” (Mt 5:11-12a)